Frozen Pipes Prevention and Thawing Tips
6/28/2022 (Permalink)
Water expands when it freezes, which is a unique characteristic. By allowing water to freeze and expand inside your pipes can lead to a tremendous buildup of pressure, which eventually causes your pipes to burst. You can save yourself from severe water damages if you learn how to avoid frozen pipes.
Preventing Frozen Pipes
Before the harsh cold of winter sets in there are a few important steps to take to reduce the possibility of frozen pipes, which include:
- Investigate your home and determine whether there are areas that are not being heated properly and are significantly colder than the rest of the home. Insulate any water pipes located in the area.
- Ensure that you drain all water from swimming pools and sprinkler supply lines.
- Close the indoor valves that supply your outdoor spigots, and then keep the outdoor spigots open and allow them to drain completely.
- Keep the garage door closed if any water pipes are in your garage.
- If the temperatures outside plummets below freezing, then always let water drip from your faucets. By keeping a small amount of water moving through your pipes significantly reduces the possibility of freezing.
- Never allow the temperature in your house to plunge below 55 degrees.
Thawing Frozen Pipes
If you are only getting a small dribble of water from your faucet, then chances are you are experiencing a frozen pipe. Here are some simple ways to thaw your frozen pipe before it bursts:
- Heat the pipe using a portable space heater, electric blanket, or hair drier.
- Keep the water running. As the frozen pipe begins to melt, then water will flow through the frozen area and helps melt the ice.
- If you have one frozen pipe, then you more likely have others. Check every faucet in your house and attempt to locate all the frozen pipes. If you are unable to locate the other frozen pipes, then call a licensed Plumber before they burst and cause water damage.