3 Options For Wrapping Your Pipes For The Winter

When the temperatures dip below freezing during the cold winter months, you have to worry about water freezing in your home's pipes. This can cause your pipes to burst and can result in expensive damage. Although a plumber can help you fix the problem, it is best to prevent it from happening in the first place. Wrapping your pipes for the winter is a smart choice, and you have a few options for doing so. These are three of your options.

1. Use Heat Tape

One fast and easy way to wrap your pipes for the winter is by using heat tape. Although it is called heat "tape," this term actually refers to a cable that is wrapped around your pipes and then plugged into an electrical outlet. The cable works as a heater for your pipes and helps to keep temperatures above freezing. You can purchase heat tape from any home improvement store.

2. Invest in Pipe Insulation

If you are looking for an option that does not require an electrical outlet, pipe insulation can be a good choice. Some people also prefer insulation because you don't have to worry about it overheating and melting your pipes or anything else underneath your home. You can purchase foam insulation that is designed to be wrapped around your pipes, or you can look for fiberglass, foil or cotton insulation. This type of insulation should be pipe-shaped and should fit perfectly around your pipes.

3. Hire a Professional

The above two tips are great if you are looking to protect your pipes yourself. However, if you are afraid to crawl underneath your house, are physically unable to insulate your own pipes or are simply looking to ensure that the job is done right, you can always hire a plumber from a company like Avalon Plumbing & Heating Ltd. A plumber will look at the specific types of pipes that you have underneath your home and will decide on the best type of insulation based on this information. Plus, he or she can also install a thermometer on your pipes so that the temperatures can be checked. You can also have your plumber take a look at your plumbing system to ensure that there are no leaks or other problems that you should be aware of.

As you can see, you have multiple options for wrapping your pipes for the winter. Regardless of the option that you choose, it should help protect your pipes from bursting when the temperatures plunge during the cold winter months.


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