Three Things to Know About Frozen Pipes

Three Things to Know About Frozen Pipes

Three Things to Know About Frozen Pipes

The harsh Midwest winters we experience every year can bring about some challenges for homeowners.

One of the most important, and sometimes overlooked areas to keep an eye on during the cold winter months are your plumbing pipes. Frozen pipes can be dangerous and highly costly to repair if not addressed quickly. Because water expands as it freezes, a frozen pipe can undergo a lot of pressure which can lead to cracking, or worse, bursting.

Luckily, taking care of frozen pipes can be done fairly simply if you identify the issue in a timely manner.

Here are some tips on finding and dealing with a frozen pipe in your home.

  1. Locate the frozen pipe. Turn on every faucet to see which one only trickles out. This is a surefire sign of a freeze. Start with the line nearest the dripping faucet and follow it to find the coldest section(s) of the pipe.
  2. Shut off the water supply. When the blockage thaws, the pressure that’s built up will need to release. So be prepared for a cleanup if the amount of icy water that emerges is a lot.
  3. Turn the faucets back on and flush all the toilets once. This will drain the leftover water and air that is in the system.
  4. Heat up the frozen section(s) of pipe. You can use a hair dryer, heating pad, or specialized warming tape on the pipe itself. Even moving a space heater nearby can help. Just beware – never use a propane heater, blowtorch, or open flame of any kind to warm the pipes up.
  5. Turn the water back on. Check the faucets one at a time and look for any leaks. You may need to turn the faucets off and on once or twice to help any remaining air escape.

If you spot any leaks or if any faucets continue to only trickle after you’re relatively sure you thawed the freeze, call your trusted plumber immediately to make repairs.

While these are just a few guidelines, being aware of these steps to address a frozen pipe in your home can help you save money and potential damage.

For more tips on how to identify, repair and prevent frozen pipes in your home, visit our website or call us at 815-288-7841.

Ace Hardware & Outdoor Center

900 N Galena Ave

Dixon, IL 61021

Source link

All content is property of the owner, unless otherwise specified. This content is not owned, or maintained by P & H Plumbing and Heating, and is used only for informational purposes. Please visit the content owners link via the source link for more information.