With the disastrous weather that has characterised Autumn 2022, it is well and truly time to say goodbye to beach days and beers by the pool. However, before you get too excited and turn on fireplaces with hot chocolates in hand, it is important that all pipes have been prepared for winter to ensure the house’s safety during the hibernation period.
Frozen pipes and winter go hand in hand due to low temperatures. If not winterised, pipes can become ruptured as the once free flowing water has frozen and expanded, placing excessive pressure on the pipe.
Australia’s warm climate means that Sydney is lucky enough to not experience freezing conditions which would encourage a pipe burst, however it is important to be prepared for the worst-case scenario.
What happens if there are freezing conditions?
Imagine it’s July and you’re sitting in your living room. Feet are stretched out on the sofa in front of you and a bowl of salt and vinegar chips next to you. You have blankets upon blankets on top of you as it has been an extremely cold winter, one which the news has characterised as surprising and unusual. You get up to have a shower, grabbing a class of water on the way. You turn the tap on, but no water comes out. In a panic, you look at the pipe under the sink where you see that it has been leaking and has formed a puddle.
Whilst this scenario is uncommon in the Sydney area – it is best to be prepared and know what to do.
If pipes are frozen, the household is deprived of water until the pipes thaw (and if there are endless cold days, this may take a while). Also, note that whilst bottled drinking water may be easy to access, it is much harder to attempt to have a shower with no water!
Whilst having no access to water is annoying - flooding of the home is extremely costly, time consuming and dangerous. A burst pipe can emit litres of water into your home, causing extensive water damage such as mould and water damaged items.
How to prepare your home if told there will be extreme cold weather
If notified by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology that Sydney will be subject to freezing water – we have compiled a list of simple steps for homeowners follow.
1. Shut off valves
Shut off the main water valve and turn off the water pump and water heater. Cutting off your water supply ensures that there is no water in the pipes to freeze and therefore no pipe to burst or leak.
2. Drain excess water
Open the faucet for leftover water to drain out of the pipe. If you feel confident to, you can also use an air compressor to blow excess water out of the pipes.
3. Flush toilets
Flush all the toilets in your home until the water in the tank of the toilet is gone. Turn the faucets in sinks, showers and bathtubs to drain any excess water.
*To extra safeguard your toilet, you can add antifreeze to prevent the water freezing and cracking the basin. When completing this task, remember to wear safety eyewear for protection from splash-back.
How to protect pipes
Whilst the above is only to be undertaken if notified that there will be abnormal freezing weather, the below should be actioned for winter, every winter.
It is important to identify which pipes are most susceptible to the cold. These include pipes located outside, uninsulated and those installed in or near unheated spaces
Insulate pipes
Pipes can be insulated with foam insulation sleeves which can be slipped over pipes without disconnecting it. Make sure that there are no open gaps without insulation as the cold air can affect the pipes in those areas.
Seal air leaks
All exterior openings in the house should be closed to prevent the cold air from contacting indoor pipes. This can be done by sealing and/or closing crawl space vents, access doors and covering openings, such as gaps around access points where plumbing pipes and electrical conduits enter the house. If walls have cracks, use caulk to fill them up. Make sure to also caulk around windows and door frames and to seal chimney leaks using fire-resistant materials.
Drain and disconnect outdoor components
Outdoor freezing can damage interior plumbing. To prevent this from occurring, disconnect garden hoses from exterior faucets and drain its water. Additionally, turn off the water valve to underground sprinkles and drain residual water. Compressed air can be used to drain the water.
*Please note that antifreeze, insulation sleeves and caulk can be purchased from your local hardware store.
If you are looking for reliable Gutter Cleaning and Window Cleaning services in northern beaches and around please reach out to Forest Gutters. He has been amazing at keeping clogged gutters at bay.
If you are unsure or need a second opinion on how to undergo any of these steps, please feel free to contact us! 1800 225 552
