n Residential Construction
Adding insulation around a pipe is the most basic solution to freezing pipes, however it is a bit like putting on a hoodie—it’ll keep you warm but only just enough. By Francesco Lo Presti Picture this—a family leaves for a beautiful all-inclusive trip; they go to the Bahamas to escape the cold, harsh Canadian winter for a week. It’s glorious and well-deserved. Flashforward to the journey home. After catching the red-eye, they arrive back to their beloved home, ready for a vacation after their vacation. But once they return, what do they see? A flooded house due to a burst pipe and a whole lot of headaches. Residential pipe freezing is one of the most common inconveniences to homeowners and with winter approaching, people need to know how to handle this problem. “There is no annual checkup to make sure that something doesn’t freeze-up,” explains Phil Plath, technical sales representative for IPEX. Pipe freezing is something that can’t be 100 per cent prevented, but there are preventative measures that can be put in place.
Hierarchy of protection Plastic pipes won't freeze as often as other types of pipe.
“Plumbing pipes are the most common and likely pipes to freeze in the winter,” said Sammy Morana, a plumber with Pelowich
Photo provided by Rehauu
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November/December 2021 – Plumbing & HVAC
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