When it gets cold, UK homeowners have to prepare for low temperatures and frosty weather. One main concern of preserving a safe, cosy home is the protection of our water tubes. It’s something that often gets overlooked. As the mercury drops, tubing can freeze. The result is inconvenient and expensive consequences. We want to cover the topic of tubes freezing in detail and what you can do to stop it. Then, if you want some help with tube reduction and other services, you can rely on us.
Why do tubes freeze?
Firstly, let’s discuss why tube freezes. The process is a simple but dangerous manifestation of physics. By nature, water expends when it freezes. When temperatures drop under 0ºC, any water inside the tubing can freeze into ice.
The main danger of frozen tubes is the risk of bursting. Water expanding into ice can exert a great deal of pressure on the tube. It can lead to cracks and ruptures. You could end up with water damage in your home and on your belongings. Not only will this lead to expensive repairs, but the water supply will be disrupted. When the ice melts, it can also result in massive water leakage.
How to prevent it?
Now that we know about the danger, we can discuss how you can prevent tubes from freezing.
Insulation
One solution is insulating your tubing. Insulation can act as an efficient first line of defence against the cold. Foam lagging is a good choice because it can offer a snug fit around the whole tube. It can even ensure a good fit if you get services like tube reduction.
Separate insulation types have their own R-value, which measure thermal resistance. The greater the R-value, the better the product will insulate the tube. Consider this when you decide what to use to protect your tubing.
Keep the heat on
Secondly, you should keep your central heating on. Even at lower temperatures, the heat can stop the water in your tubes from freezing. It’s advised you keep your thermostat set to at least 12ºC. You can set programmable thermostats to maintain a minimum temperature. Make sure you do so during especially cold spells. This ensures your tubing and house don’t drop below freezing point.
Seals
Next, you should seal up cracks and openings. Any opening or crack in the walls, ceilings, or floors can let cold air in. It increases the danger of freezing tubes. Find these by feeling for draughts or utilising a thermal leak detector. Once you’ve found the openings and cracks, seal them using spray foam or caulk to stop the cold air.
Direct warm air
Another option is to direct warm air to cold areas. Locations in the home that aren’t well-insulated or are draughty will likely be colder than the rest. Included here are garages, basements, or rooms with exterior walls. Open vents and doors to let warm air circulate in these spots. Fans can also aid you in distributing warm air evenly in the property.
Tube sleeves
The last solution we’ll cover is using tube sleeves. These are another type of insulation that can offer an additional protective layer for your tubes. They wrap around the tubing, offering comprehensive insulation and coverage.
Let us help you with tube reduction and more
At Multiform Tubes Engineering Ltd, we have years of experience in our field. No matter what project it is we’re taking part in, we aim to complete it to the highest standards. More importantly, we have the knowledge and skills to work with various materials, including different types of steel, titanium, and more.
Whether you need tube reduction or something else, we can help. So, speak to us if there’s anything we can do for you, including tubing for plumbing and more.