4 Tips to Help Reduce the Risk of Burst Pipes

When you live in an area where there are long, frigid winters and short, hot summers, you have to worry about burst pipes on a regular basis. Burst pipes can cause thousands of dollars’ worth of damage in no time at all, so it’s important to know how to minimize the risk of this happening with your plumbing Markham. Here are four ways to help reduce the risk of burst pipes in your home.

Keep One or Two Faucets Running:

Keeping one or two faucets running when temperatures drop below freezing can help prevent pipes from bursting. Running water at a steady pace helps keep water flowing and prevents it from freezing inside your pipes. A possible disadvantage is that you could end up wasting more water, especially if you have any leaks in the plumbing Markham. You might want to cut down on other household water usage during this time to save money.

Try to Bring in Warm Air to the Colder Areas of Your Home:

It's important to try and bring in warm air into colder areas of your home, as it will help keep the pipes from freezing. This can be done by opening windows and doors that lead outside, or by using a space heater. If you do use a space heater, make sure it is not too close to any objects that are made from fabrics or materials that can catch fire. The next best solution is a fireplace. Once you light the wood on fire, all of those heat waves will naturally spread out throughout the room and surrounding area.

Add Insulation to the Outer Walls Containing Pipes:

Another way you can help reduce the risk of burst pipes is by adding insulation to the outer walls that contain pipes. The insulation also helps protect your pipes from freezing in cold weather. This will also insulate your home, which in turn keeps it warmer and more energy efficient. Even if you do have a pipe burst, it will help contain the water so it doesn't flood other areas of your home. If you're considering adding insulation to your walls, talk with an emergency plumber Markham before proceeding with any work.

Disconnect the Hose From the Outdoor Faucet:

One of the most common causes for a burst pipe is the water pressure being too high, which can happen when someone leaves a hose connected to an outdoor faucet. To help reduce this risk, disconnect your hose from your outdoor faucet before shutting off the water. Consider installing an indoor shut-off valve near your outside spigot.

Water damage from burst pipes can cause expensive and frustrating problems in the home. While there isn’t much you can do about the temperature fluctuations of winter and summer, the tips mentioned above can help protect your pipes and reduce the risk of bursting pipes. Talk to a plumber if you have any questions on burst pipes, drain repair Markham or anything else.

When to Replace Your Home's Plumbing Pipes? 6 Signs To Look Out For

Plumbing pipes are responsible for carrying water throughout your home to help you live your life and be comfortable. However, they’re not indestructible. If your plumbing Toronto are several years old, you may want to start thinking about replacing them before any serious issues happen. Over time, pipes develop cracks and leaks, which can lead to costly repairs. Here are six signs that indicate it may be time to think about replacing your pipes.

There Are Cracks on Pipes:

Start by looking for any cracks on your pipes. Even a small crack can signal structural problems and an impending leak, so it is best to have these repaired before water reaches the break. A bigger crack or hole can be patched with a rubber fitting but will need a new pipe that goes through the wall to be professionally installed. If you don’t take care of plumbing issues as they arise, they can lead to costly repairs down the line.

Talk to a plumber Toronto about what to do if you find cracks in your pipes. They might recommend replacing some or all of your pipes, depending on the severity. Just make sure that whoever installs the new piping has enough room around them to work comfortably and safely.

Water Takes a Long Time to Reach Faucets or Sinks:

One of the most telling signs your pipes are nearing the end is if water takes a long time to reach faucets or sinks. If you are noticing this, it is likely that the blockage is between your faucet and pipe, and there could be anything in the way. There could be debris lodged around either or even something that has grown over time like tree roots.

These types of things can severely impede the flow of water through pipes so they will need to be removed as soon as possible to make sure everything continues flowing normally. If you don’t act on it, then your pipes could burst, which would create an enormous mess and waste tons of money.

Pipes are Corroded:

Pipe corrosion is often caused by moisture or minerals in the water. Factors like how old your pipes are, how often you have water flowing through them, what kind of minerals are in the water, and where your home is located can all contribute to pipe corrosion. The older your pipes, the higher risk of corrosion you face. Homes that never run their faucets without a drip also typically have corroded pipes, since there is no airflow to dry out the pipes. If you have hard water in your home it can also increase corrosion risks as it usually contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, both of which will contribute to pipe corrosion over time. Talk to a plumber about replacing your plumbing pipes if any of these conditions apply.

Frequent Water Leaks:

Frequent leaks from your faucet is one sign that you may need to replace the pipes in your home. If there are water leaks but only for a few minutes and then it stops, you may have a leaky seal or valve, both of which can be fixed with an easy home repair. However, if your water leaks consistently for longer than 24 hours at a time and cannot be stopped by changing the configuration of the faucets, you may need to replace pipes.

The old iron piping is subject to rust and it could lead to a major pipe break when they start corroding under extreme pressure. Iron also tends to release substances that will corrode copper plumbing pipes. If that's the case, you should contact an emergency plumber Toronto to get an estimate on how much the replacement project will cost.

Exposure to Lead:

There are a number of signs you should look for if you suspect your plumbing pipes may contain lead, including but not limited to the following:

•     Foul odor coming from bathroom fixtures and pipe parts inside the home (particularly when water is turned off).

•     Necessity to use excessive amounts of water or detergents when cleaning.

•     Chronic dry skin conditions such as eczema.

If you believe your plumbing pipes may be exposing you to high levels of lead in your drinking water, we recommend consulting with a professional plumber and ask for a plumbing upgrade.

Slow Draining of Sinks, Tubs, and Toilets:

If you notice your toilet is slow-draining, then this may be an indication that the pipe needs to be replaced or toilet repair Toronto is imminent. And while slow-draining isn't a guarantee that pipes are going to have to be replaced, it does increase the odds. As such, if you find that after turning on your sink for 5 minutes and it hasn't drained any water, then this may also indicate the need for a replacement pipe.

There are many signs that indicate your home’s plumbing pipes need to be replaced, but these five are the most prominent. Make sure you check your home’s plumbing pipes regularly so that you can catch any of these problems early on and avoid costly replacements down the road. A plumber can help you determine if your plumbing needs to be replaced, so get in touch with them for a plumbing inspection or for other services like drain repair Toronto and more.