Advice on Dealing with Frozen Pipes & Tips To Prevent Pipes From Freezing
It’s February, which means Spring is getting close but we are not yet finished with winter weather. To combat the harm cold weather can do to your home, follow our advice on:
DEALING WITH FROZEN PIPES & PREVENT PIPES FROM FREEZING
According to the groundhog, we are still six weeks away from being out of the woods when it comes to winter weather. This means that although spring IS on the way, we aren’t quite done with the consequences of cold weather. One of the biggest cold weather calamities is finding an answer to the question, “What do I do if my pipes freeze?”.
In this post we are going to explore ways to prevent frozen pipes as well as the steps to take if your find yourself stuck in the cold with frozen pipes.
INSULATE YOUR PIPES
Obviously, the best way to keep from dealing with frozen pipes is to prevent them from freezing in the first place. In order to keep your pipes from freezing, make sure they are insulated. Exposed pipes are much more susceptible to freezing than pipes that are wrapped in insulated foam,heat tape or insulated cable.
Extreme cold, like last month’s Arctic Blast, may call for more extensive measures to prevent your pipes from freezing. In serious cold weather, allow your faucets to drip warm and cold water, day and night. Do not let the temperature in your house dip below 50 degrees and try to avoid travel during freezing temperatures.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR PIPES FREEZE
If you have taken all the necessary precautions and you still end up with a frozen pipe, stay calm but act quickly. Frozen pipes are subject to bursting, which can result in extensive water damage.
You will know that you are dealing with a frozen pipe if you turn on a faucet and little to no water pours out. If you cannot locate the frozen pipe, it’s time to call a plumber. If you are able to find the frozen area, begin the defrosting process by warming the pipe with a heating element, such as a hairdryer, a heating pad or a hot towel. NEVER attempt to defrost a pipe with any tool that uses an open flame, the last thing you want is a fire on top of a flood.
While you are defrosting your pipes, make sure to leave faucets open so that you can see if the pipes are beginning to thaw. If you feel uncomfortable defrosting your own pipes or if you don’t think your methods are working, please don’t hesitate to call a professional. A frozen pipe is a pain but a burst pipe can cause catastrophic damage.
Remember, only six more weeks of winter, we can make it!
To prevent damage to your home from the cold, check out our post on Tips for Winterizing Your Home.