Not sure if you noticed but it is a bit cold in places at the moment. Winter is no big deal unless you know you haven’t had one for 70+ years. Are you scrambling to winter-ize your home and prepare for the chill?
Here is a tutorial by Clumsy Crafter on how and why you should be wrapping your pipes with her homemade faucet cover.
Hunker also has a tutorial to show you how to make your own faucet cover.
For my tutorial, I am going to suggest you find an old oven mitt from the kitchen. I mean who uses those things for the actual oven anyways (not me)? Open up the insulated mitt and wrap the tap in the mitt. If you have a little extra time on your hands, you can sew in some ties so that you can wrap it around your faucet to prevent the water from freezing.
When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe – even at a trickle –
The dripping faucet should be as far away from the water source as possible so the water will flow through the entire length of the system. If you aren’t sure where the incoming water source is located, setting any faucet to drip will help. A common misconception is that the drip prevents water from freezing because it stays in motion when it’s running through the pipes. Although this helps, the truth is that at extreme temperatures water can freeze even while it is flowing. The real reason a dripping faucet can help prevent pipes from bursting is that the constant drip relieves pressure that is building up in the pipes between the ice blockage and the faucet, and helps to prevent them from bursting when the pipes begin to thaw. (Source)
Still have some time to prepare for the big chill? Check out these Faucet covers
to help protect taps outside.
So why do you need to cover your faucet?
Winter weather can be tough on your home’s plumbing system, especially if you live in areas with harsh and cold temperatures. One of the biggest concerns is frozen pipes, which can cause damage and lead to costly repairs. To prevent pipes from freezing over, it is important to cover your faucet. In this article, we’ll explain why faucet covers are so important, and how they help to protect your pipes from the damaging effects of winter weather.
First and foremost, faucet covers are designed to insulate the pipes that run from your faucet to your home. These pipes are often located in unheated areas like garages, crawl spaces, and attics, making them susceptible to freezing. When water in the pipes freezes, it expands, putting pressure on the pipes and causing them to crack or burst. This can result in serious water damage to your home, and can also lead to costly repairs.
By covering your faucet, you are creating a barrier between the pipes and the cold air, which helps to keep the water inside the pipes from freezing. Faucet covers come in different sizes and materials, so you can choose one that fits your specific faucet, and that provides the right level of insulation for your needs. Some covers are made of foam, while others are made of silicone or other materials that provide a tight seal.
Another benefit of using faucet covers is that they help to conserve energy. By keeping the pipes from freezing, you are reducing the need for your heating system to work harder, which can lower your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint. In addition, faucet covers can also help to reduce the risk of fire, as they prevent pipes from bursting and causing water damage that could lead to electrical problems.
Protecting your faucet and pipes from winter weather is an important step in preventing damage to your home and conserving energy. With a simple and inexpensive faucet cover, you can keep your pipes from freezing over, and enjoy peace of mind throughout the winter season. So be sure to invest in a good quality faucet cover, and take the necessary steps to protect your home from the damaging effects of winter weather.
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