When you have an older home with an aging bathtub, certain aspects of your tub require special care. You must consider the material of the tub as well as the pipes in the wintertime. And this season might be the right time to upgrade to a new one.
Prevent Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes occur when water freezes and expands inside your plumbing, blocking liquid from flowing freely. Sometimes, it can lead to a burst pipe if the pressure becomes too much for the plumbing system. This is a common problem in older homes because the aging pipes weaken over time.
To prevent pipes from freezing, use foam insulation to protect them from getting too cold. Check around the tub for any cracks or gaps that are letting in air and seal them. Moreover, when temperatures drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, let the water from your bathtub faucet drip to keep water flowing through the pipes.
Keep the Heat at 68 Degrees
While you may want to save as much money on your heating bill as possible, you shouldn’t turn your thermostat any lower than 68 degrees. This temperature allows your home to stay warm enough that your pipes won’t freeze. You also want to keep the house at this temperature consistently for the sake of your tub if it’s made from porcelain or cast iron because cold followed by heat can cause them to crack. Acrylic and fiberglass can become brittle from the cold.
Other issues you prevent when you keep your bathroom warm include:
- Caulk and grout from hardening, shrinking, or cracking
- Drain traps from freezing
- Valves and fixtures from failing
Address Problems Early
Whenever you have signs of a problem with the plumbing of your bathtub, such as the following, call for a professional plumber promptly:
- Gurgling sounds from the drain
- Damp wall or floor near the bathtub
- A slow drain
By repairing problems early with an older plumbing system, you may decrease how much you’ll need to spend on fixing the problem because it won’t have time to progress.
Think About a New Tub Installation
Make winter a time to consider upgrading your bathtub. You can then reduce your chances of the cold weather doing any harm. Typically, this season is less busy for contractors, so you’ll be more likely to get the work done shortly after you request it.
By using these tips for bathtubs in older homes, you can prevent problems. If you choose a new bathtub installation, you’re picking a time when a contractor may have ample openings to assist.
Contact Nordine Remodeling, serving Bloomington, IL, and the general vicinity, for a bathtub replacement.