Do you know the most feared problem for home and business owners during the winter season? It’s frozen pipes. Pipes and the water inside them tend to freeze in places with frigid climates. This situation can lead to wear, tear, and severe damage to your properties.
Therefore, keeping a check and balance on your pipelines is essential if you live in a frigid climate. People should also take preventive steps to avoid more damaging situations.
The water inside the pipes can quickly freeze and become solid ice if the outside temperature drops below the freezing point of 0°C. This mostly happens in extremely cold areas; if the pipes are not properly insulated, the water inside them will definitely freeze. This can cause many problems to your home’s drainage system.
Lower thermostat temperature can also be a significant cause of freezing pipes. If your thermostat is set to a low temperature, the water inside the pipes will continue to drop in temperature and cause it to freeze.
Frozen pipes can cause several problems and damage your pipes or your whole drainage system. Here is a list of some common problems that frozen pipes can cause:
Blockage of Water
If the water inside your pipes freezes, it causes the remaining liquid water to stop flowing through the pipes and blocks them. This can lead to no water availability in your house faucets, taps, and other water sources; they will be dry and empty. It can also cause the bursting of pipes.
Bursting pipes
Bursting pipes is a major issue caused by frozen water and can severely damage your pipes. As water freezes, it significantly expands in size, which can build up pressure on the inner surface of the pipes and cause them to burst. Pipe bursts also happen due to additional pressure from the flowing water blocked by the ice and can damage your entire drainage system. Repairing burst pipes can be very expensive and consume a lot of time as it is a long process.
Water Damage
If the pipes burst, the water will leak out and seep into the walls and floors of your house, which will decay over time if left unnoticed. The walls or any area where the water has leaked into will be heavily damaged, ruining the look of your house and further increasing the cost of repairing.
Here are some ways to prevent damage from frozen pipes:
Insulated Pipes
Ensure a proper insulation system is installed in your pipes to avoid any problems. Getting your pipes insulated will keep them warm and prevent them from dropping in temperature. This will also prevent the water inside the pipes from freezing at all times. Consider buying a good quality insulation system that will always work without any problems.
Try to keep an eye on areas such as basements, garages, attics, and other areas where the pipes run through, and install a proper heating system in those areas too.
Correct Thermostat Temperature
The temperature inside the house can also affect the water inside the pipes. To prevent frozen pipes, set your thermostat to above 57°F during both day and night, as it will ensure the water temperature does not drop below the freezing point.
The Flow of Warm Air
Another easy way to prevent water freezing in pipes is to get rid of cold air inside your house and have a proper flow of warm air to maintain higher temperatures. Open your garage door to let the cold air out. Make sure to leave kitchen doors and bathroom cabinets open for some time. Doing this will let the warm air circulate in your house and carry the heat from the heaters to the pipes to keep the water warm.
Drip Cold Water
If you open a faucet and notice that the water is cold and way colder than usual, it is about to freeze inside the pipes, and you need to take action immediately. First, turn off the faucets outside your house and drain all the water from that line. Another step you can take is to slightly open the faucet that is the farthest from your main valve so the cold water drips out and a proper water temperature is maintained, which will keep the water from freezing.
If you see signs related to frozen pipes, call a plumber immediately. Do not try to fix anything because you might damage the pipes even more. Instead, you can take these preventive steps while waiting for the plumber to arrive:
Frozen pipes can be a huge problem, but you will have nothing to worry about if you follow all the preventative steps. If you ever experience frozen pipes, don’t hesitate to call for emergency plumbing services.
At Plumbing Services Port Saint Lucie, our team has plenty of experience dealing with frozen pipes. We will always come to your rescue, no matter what time of day. Call us today to schedule an inspection and eliminate your frozen pipes problem.