当冬天的温度开始在你的家里慢慢上升时，你可能会开始对你的水管和管道感到紧张。 如果是这样，你并不孤单。 冻结的管道（或者更确切地说，破裂的管道）会对你的房屋和财产造成昂贵的水损失。 即使水管上的一个小裂口，每分钟也能把几百加仑的水送进你的家里。 根据保险信息研究所的数据，今年每55个家庭中就有一个家庭将提交因水或冰冻造成的财产损失索赔。  Given the fact that many homeowners take the winter holidays to travel and leave home, it’s important to know what preventative measures you can take to 为你的家防寒. 以下是一些保护暴露在外的管道免受冰冻温度影响的建议。

包裹和绝缘管道和管道

你可以在五金店购买便宜的泡沫管罩，包裹管道或管道，以防止管道内的热量损失。  你也可以投入更多的钱，悦博体育通过用厚玻璃纤维绝缘层彻底包裹管道，为管道创造一个更永久的绝缘环境。 这可以是一个DIY项目，或者你可以雇一个水管工来帮你做。 Keep in mind that the cost to fix a burst pipe runs an average of $5,000, so spending money to properly insulate your home is a smart way to approach this project.

识别暴露的管道

Exposed pipes are pipes that are not insulated and may be subject to greater shifts in temperatures. 这可能包括位于你家外部的管道，从外部通往内部的管道，或者位于车库、阁楼或地下室等较冷房间的管道（37%的冷冻管道发生在地下室）。 For faucets or plumbing located outside, like an exterior faucet, 你需要按照这些步骤来为冬天做好准备. If you plan on being away from home for a long period of time, it might be a good idea to shut off the water supply and open all of the taps until they run dry.

Why frozen pipes burst

The rips and tears that occur in a frozen pipe aren’t primarily from the expansion of ice: ice blockages create a build up of pressure between the ice and the faucet, and it’s this increase of pressure that actually breaks the pipe. (It should be noted that the expansion of ice can directly cause damage to connection points or weak plumbing.) Additionally, several ice blockages might occur within the same pipe, as can several tears or breaks. 当冰融化时，水就会泄漏出来，并释放出困在冰后面的水。 Homeowners might not actually see the damage until just after winter, when temperatures rise, ice melts, and water starts leaking into the house. 当温度达到20华氏度时，水会在管道中结冰，然而已经确定的是，风寒因素会增加水结冰的可能性，所以即使温度高于20华氏度也会导致风险。

不要关掉暖气

If you plan on being away from your home for an extended period of time, like for a long holiday break, think twice about turning off the thermostat. 首先，如果温度关闭或设置过低，即使是位于隔热墙内的管道也有可能冻结。 Second, when you enter a freezing home and crank up the thermostat your heating unit will have to expend a tremendous amount of energy to warm up the home, costing potentially more money and stressing the system. 把恒温器调到你认为安全的温度，并考虑打开室内门和柜门，让温暖的空气流入所有的管道。 If you fear a burst pipe, install a water sensor that can remotely alert you to the presence of water inside your home.

让水开着

如果你预计气温会很低，你可以打开水龙头，让水以稳定但小的流量流动。 打开的水龙头释放管道内部的空气压力，可以防止撕裂。 因此，即使管道里有冰堵塞，打开的水龙头也可以防止堵塞物和水龙头之间的压力积聚。 如果你有热水水龙头和冷水水龙头，那么让它们都开着。

最危险的房屋

Homes located in regions that experience reoccurring freezing winter temperatures are usually constructed with well insulated pipes and plumbing. 不幸的是，在南方气候下建造的房屋，偶尔会发生冰冻，因此管道破裂的风险更大。 这些温暖地区的房屋通常不会考虑到霜冻，房主可能会被一场单一的、但具有破坏性的冬季冰暴吓到。 Regardless of which area you live in, if you suspect air leaks or are wondering if your home needs additional insulation, 考虑聘请能源效率专家. This expert utilizes specific measuring tools and devices (like infrared technology) to understand exactly where heat loss is occurring in your home and can make recommendations as to how to make your home warmer.

你怎么知道你的管子是不是冻住了

判断水管是否结冰的方法很简单：只要打开水龙头或冲马桶就行了。 如果没有水出来，就要怀疑结冰了。 立即关闭供水系统。 你可以使用像吹风机这样的热源来加热管道并融化冰，但是要注意任何滴水都可能导致触电。 不要使用明火，因为这可能会引起火灾。 Always call a plumber right away if you suspect damage to the pipe or if you aren’t sure where the blockage has occurred. 在Porch上找一个专家.

本文原载于 Porch.com

作者：安妮·里根

 Porch.com 是一个免费的家庭网络，将房主和租房者与合适的家庭服务专业人员联系起来。