What is the best way to renovate to be sure that pipes will not freeze?
I cannot raise pipes above the floor because of positioning of drains. When the temperatures fall below freezing, water pipes exposed to the cold can be a serious problem, especially in hard-to-reach areas of the home. When ice forms inside a metal or plastic water pipe, it expands causing the pipes to crack or rupture and eventually leak. There are several things a homeowner can do to protect the pipes against the frigid weather: First, the foundation’s perimeter walls need to be insulated. Even in areas that are too narrow to enter, the walls can be insulated with a spray-on expanding foam. Also make sure all foundation vents are closed against cold winds. Second, once the crawl space has been insulated, open a duct from the furnace to warm and dry the area. Modern homes are now being built with conditioned crawl spaces to conserve energy. Third, use electrical heat tapes sparingly and safely. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) “estimates there are about 2,000 fires, 10 de
