We don’t need to tell Canadians that winters in the Great White North can get very cold. In fact, 4.5% of all deaths in Canada are related to cold and exposure. What may surprise you is that the majority of these deaths actually took place on fairly mild days when people weren’t wearing enough layers. Just as a coat is vital insulation for keeping people warm over winter, any pipes running outdoors or through unheated spaces need to be insulated.
Canadians generally know that, during the winter, outdoor water needs to be turned off. This is fine for some things, like irrigation systems. A team can come by before the first freeze to drain the pipes and protect the fixtures from the snow and cold. But simply not using pipes that run outdoors or through unheated areas, like a garage or attic, just isn’t an option for many industries. In these cases, it’s necessary to ensure pipes are bled and proper insulation is installed.
Bleeding Pipe.
While air pockets aren’t particularly detrimental to your plumbing, they can cause an annoying spit or sputter in the flow of water. Loud noises may radiate from the walls, and this annoying air won’t slowly work its way out — the pipe must be manually bled. Fixing these sorts of problems in the middle of January is not fun, so we recommend that bleeding pipes be a part of your annual maintenance going into winter. You can call a plumber to bleed the pipes if you want, but anyone can do it.
First, ensure that the main water supply to your building is on, and then slowly turn on every water fixture in the house. You’ll want to turn on both the hot and cold, but they only need to be half on each. Start with the fixture closest to the water main and move further away. Remember, to include every water fixture including toilets, dishwashers, etc. Record what order your turn the fixtures on. After a few minutes, you should notice that the water is running smoothly without sputters. This means the air has been bled, and it’s time to turn off the fixtures. Turn them off in the same order you turned them on.
Insulation.
Water is amazing. It is central to the existence of life as we know it. It’s also one of the few things we’ve discovered that expands when frozen. And it’s actually this expansion — not the phase change into a solid, that destroys the pipes. The expanding water takes up 9% more space, and while that doesn’t sound like much, remember that in smooth running plumbing, there is no air or space. With 0% more room available for the expanding water, the pressure just builds as the cooling water pushes against the pipe. Eventually, the metal or plastic fails. But insulation keeps a barrier of warm air between the water filled pipe and the frigid winter, preventing freezing and bursting. Since a burst pipe can cause flooding, water damage, mould, and worse, investing in adequate insulation is a no-brainer.
Insulation for pipes is an affordable and easy solution. Simply evaluate how much foam your pipes need, stick in place, and forget it. A burst pipe can cost thousands or more in damages. Insulation keeps your pipes warm to help them last through years of winters to come. Westcal Insulation is committed to completing all of our projects effectively, efficiently, safely, and on schedule for the most reasonable price. If you need a mechanical or industrial insulation expert to help ready your company for winter, you’ve come to the right place! Contact us today.
