Winter wreaks havoc on everything, from gardens to the exterior of houses, and of course your drains and pipes. The weather is grim from around late November to early March, and it’s a long time until the warmer weather comes. With this in mind, most of us will start to take time to put care and attention into the exterior of our homes before the weather makes it impossible for us to do anything.
Temperature drops can cause havoc with your pipes
The drop in temperature is bound to have an impact on your drains and pipes. They will warp, crack and change shape depending on how low the temperature drops. To avoid the bursting and cracking of your pipes... insulation is the best answer. Regardless of where they are and what purpose they serve if they’re outside then they’ll be vulnerable to the elements.
Insulation can help prevent damage to the drains or pipes this winter
Insulation is great because it’s one of the most successful ways of preventing damage to your pipes and it doesn't have to be expensive. If you’re not going to be using any particular drains, pipes or cisterns, in fact anything that contains water, it’s a good idea to drain it. You can then insulate the pipes, you can buy good insulation materials from any reputable DIY store. There will be some cheaper options there of course, and the thinner your pipes are the easier it is to wrap them, in fact you can wrap them in anything from cable or heat tape if you’re on a tight budget.
Drain outdoor water containers and any outdoor pipes where possible
If you have outdoor pipes used for water based appliances used in your garden, you can also drain these of water, and include any hose pipes and taps, close any outdoor valves that are open, and the water will have an opportunity to expand without any pressure.
Leakages are something you should look out for
This is a good time to check for any leakages before bad weather sets in. You can easily get a patch kit from any reputable DIY store, either on or offline, but if any of your pipes are leaking as a result of a hole and they also provide water for your mains or your heating appliances, then always call in a professional drainage team such as ourselves. These types of leaks are best dealt with by professionals trained and experienced in this area.
Keep heat at a constant low temperature throughout the winter
Keeping the heating throughout your home at a low to moderate temperature throughout the winter, which will not be as expensive as you’d imagine, will help your pipes tremendously. By not switching it off completely it’s not using a tremendous amount of energy to reheat again but staying at an even mid warm temperature.
Watch out for any draughts
Any draughts you find should be plugged up and you can use either plastic or wood for this. Don’t use this for any external draughts that may be vents used to connect to your heating system. Clear drain grates because it’s good to make sure they’re operating at peak performance in the winter, so clear them out completely so they’ll be ready for whatever the wind blows at them.
Think about drain protectors for prevention of any leaves collecting in your drains over the winter and this should prevent any blockages.
East of Scotland Drainage - Experience & Expertise
Finally, any anomalies you find in your pipes or drains that you’re unsure about, and you’re anxious about winter approaching, then contact us. We’re to help, and we can come and inspect the problem and tell you what we think is, carry out a preliminary investigation, and then give you a quote. Don’t leave it until the worst of the winter weather arrives!