Insulate and Save: Winter-Proofing Your Outdoor Taps
Winter is coming, and with it, the inevitable drop in temperatures. While we often think about insulating our homes to save on heating bills, it's easy to overlook outdoor fixtures like garden taps. Doing so, however, could lead to costly repairs due to burst pipes or taps. Fortunately, insulating garden taps is a simple task that can prevent these problems, protect your home, and save you money. Here's how you can do it.
Understanding the Risks
Before we jump into the how-tos, let's understand why insulating your garden tap is crucial. When water freezes inside unprotected taps or pipes, it expands. This expansion can cause the pipes or taps to crack or burst, leading to expensive repairs. Additionally, neglecting to properly winterise these fixtures can also lead to backflow issues where stagnant water could be drawn back into your home's drinking water supply—posing a contamination risk.
Benefits of Insulating Garden Taps
- Protection from Frost: By insulating your garden taps, you guard against freezing temperatures that could cause cracks and bursts.
- Prevention of Leaks: Insulated taps are less likely to develop leaks, thus saving on water bills and maintenance costs.
- Saving Money: Avoid the costs associated with emergency plumbing repairs by preparing ahead of time.
- Ease of Use: Insulating your taps is a straightforward DIY project that doesn't require much time or skill.
- Enhanced Longevity: Extends the lifespan of your outdoor plumbing by minimising wear and tear.
6 Steps to Insulate Your Garden Taps
1. Disconnect and Drain Hosepipes
Before freezing temperatures set in, disconnect any attached hosepipes, drain them, and store them away. This will prevent water from freezing inside the hose and causing damage to the tap.
2. Shut Off the Water Supply
If possible, shut off the water supply to your outdoor taps using an isolation valve. Following this, open the tap to drain any remaining water, ensuring there's no residual water to freeze inside.
3. Install an Insulating Tap Cover
Purchase an insulating tap cover from your local hardware store or online. These covers are designed to fit snugly around your tap, providing a protective barrier against the cold. They're an inexpensive solution that significantly reduces the risk of frost damage.
4. Wrap Exposed Pipes
Insulating exposed pipes is just as important as the taps themselves. Use foam pipe insulation or lagging, which can be easily cut to size and wrapped around the pipes. Secure it with cable ties or duct tape to ensure it stays in place throughout the winter.
5. Consider an Insulated Tap Box
For additional protection, consider installing an insulated tap box, especially if your area experiences harsh winters. These boxes provide extra security by enclosing the tap entirely, safeguarding it from freezing temperatures. Robox Design can help with this. Click here for further details.
6. Regular Checks
Throughout the winter, periodically check to ensure the insulation remains intact and effective. Look for signs of wear or loosening and replace if necessary.
Conclusion
Taking a little time to insulate your garden taps can save you a lot of hassle and money down the line. It's a practical, cost-effective way to protect your home and ensure your outdoor plumbing is ready to go when spring arrives. Just remember insulation is important, but extreme or prolonged temperatures can still cause freezing to occur. In this case isolation from the water supply and drain down is the best option.
Ready to get started? Ensure you have all the materials you need before the cold sets in, and if you're uncertain or need assistance, consulting a professional plumber can provide peace of mind. For more home maintenance tips, subscribe to our newsletter for the latest expert advice straight to your inbox.