What To Do About Frozen Pipes

What To Do About Frozen Pipes

Frozen water pipes can wreak havoc on your home. One burst pipe can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage in a matter of minutes. That is not even mentioning the possibility of mold mitigation that may follow a burst pipe. For a burst pipe to happen, the water must first freeze and then expand, putting tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it. Pipes that freeze the most often are usually ones that are exposed frequently to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines, and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas in basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets. Here are some ways to prevent your pipes from freezing:

Prevention

The first action you should take in frozen pipes prevention is to locate and identify all valves in your home and to make sure they work correctly. Next, you should identify any potential problem areas, such as any place where your pipes might be vulnerable to the cold. Seal any gaps around your house where freezing air may find its way in and come into contact with your pipes. In severe cold, even the tiniest opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze. You should also make sure to turn off and drain any outside hose bibs.

Be Aware When The Temperature Drops

Make sure you keep watch over those problem areas! Open your kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Whenever the temperature outside dips dangerously below freezing, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through pipes, even at the smallest amount, helps prevent pipes from freezing. You should also keep the thermostat set to the same temperature during the day and at night. If you are going away during colder weather, leave the heat on in your home set to a temperature no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

What To Do If You Have a Frozen Pipe

If you’re experiencing a ‘no flow’ situation, immediately turn off the main water valve to your home and leave the faucets open. Never use any type of flame to try and thaw the pipe. Apply heat in the form of an electric heating pad or towels soaked in hot water until water pressure is restored.

If you cannot thaw the frozen pipe, call a licensed plumber immediately.

Contact I&C Mechanical if you need help with Frozen Pipes

Do you have further questions about choosing a great plumber ? Don’t hesitate to contact I&C Mechanical, Inc today! Our expert plumbers are highly skilled at what they do. Here at I&C Mechanical, Inc, we fit the bill for high-quality, low-cost service

plumber fixing a sink at kitchen

Plumbing Maintenance Tips

Spot and resolve small plumbing problems before they become major issues at home.

Plumbing. It’s been with us since Roman times, but today’s homes have a lavish supply of hot and cold water on demand, thanks to modern plumbing systems. The principles are simple — pressure and valves — but if they fail, the household may be faced with a soggy mess. When this happens, act quickly to avert major problems.
Smart homeowners know how to spot and resolve small plumbing problems before they become major issues. Help your plumbing stay dry and happy with these tips:
Keep an eye out for trouble. When it comes to plumbing, little leaks can lead to big problems. Be alert to signs of impending plumbing failures: Leaking faucets, damp cabinets, rocking toilets or dripping refrigerators all signal problems that need prompt attention.

Read more

frozen pipes plumbing

How to Avoid Frozen Pipes

Frozen Pipes Tips

Freezing temperatures are here. This may have you thinking about your furnace, but you should also be mindful of your household plumbing, frozen pipes risk.

When the temperature drops below freezing, there’s always the potential that the water in some pipes may freeze. In the best-case scenario, the ice temporarily stops the flow of water before thawing when temperatures rise. But it doesn’t take extreme temperatures for expanding ice to actually break a vulnerable pipe, putting your home at risk for leaks or even significant flooding.

During winter, keep these tips in mind to avoid this messy and costly problem.

Knowing is Half the Battle

Most homeowners don’t know the locations of every foot of pipe in their homes. A pipe that is heated or well insulated in some areas may be fully exposed to the elements somewhere else down the line. All it takes is a small frozen section to result in a major break. So to know where you might be at risk, ask your local plumber to conduct a thorough audit of your plumbing system for freezing risks. Read more