You never realize how important your plumbing is to your home until something goes wrong. One of the biggest problems that people run into when the weather outside is cold is frozen pipes. Now, you might think that this is a pretty straightforward problem to avoid. After all, everyone knows that pipes freeze in cold weather, right?
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think about your plumbing until there’s a problem. And one of the biggest problems people face in cold weather is frozen pipes. If you know how to keep pipes from freezing, you can avoid a lot of headaches and expenses. In this blog post, we’ll outline some tips for keeping your pipes from freezing, so you can stay warm and cozy all winter long.
How to Keep Pipes from Freezing? A Few Tips
Water expands when it freezes, so the ice that forms in a pipe can cause the pipe to burst. There are a few other reasons pipes may freeze as well, including a lack of insulation or improper ventilation. Pipes located outside are especially vulnerable to freezing temperatures.
If pipes freeze, the water in the pipes can crack the pipe or even cause it to burst. In some cases, if freezing temperatures persist for an extended period of time, water can freeze and expand inside the pipes, which will cause even more damage.
If you think your pipes might be frozen, you should call a plumber as soon as possible. The sooner the plumber can address the problem, the less damage will be done.
There are several things you can do to prevent your pipes from freezing during the winter. First, make sure your home is properly insulated. Second, move any outdoor hoses inside and disconnect them from the faucets. Third, open cabinet doors below sinks to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes. Fourth, if you live in an area that experiences below-freezing temperatures, you can purchase insulation sleeves for your pipes or pour hot water over them periodically to keep them from freezing.
What to Do If the Pipes Are Frozen?
If the pipes are frozen, there are a few things you can do to thaw them out. You can use a hair dryer, a heat lamp, or even hot water. However, it’s important to take precautions when using hot water, as it can cause damage to the pipes.
If you decide to use hot water, make sure that you don’t pour it directly on the pipes. Instead, pour it into a bucket and then place the bucket near the frozen pipe. You should also avoid using boiling water, as this can cause the pipe to burst.
If you think your pipes might be frozen, we think you should call a plumber as soon as possible. The sooner the plumber can address the problem, the less damage will be done.
F.A.Q
Do you let hot or cold water drip to keep pipes from freezing?
Most of us believe that letting water drip from the faucet through exposed pipes helps to prevent them from freezing. However, many times what is believed to be true is not so. In this case, it is true that running water through the pipes helps prevent them from freezing. This process of drawing off the heat prevents the water in the pipe from completely freezing even at extremely cold temperatures. When an outside temperature of 12 degrees Fahrenheit or colder is reached, the water in the pipes begins freezing even with the “leaks” occurring through exposed pipes. By allowing the water to run during subfreezing temperatures, we are essentially preventing any part of it from freezing.
Will pipes freeze in one night?
In some extreme cases, pipes have been known to freeze in just one night. Moreover, there are a lot of things that homeowners do to increase their chances for frozen pipes in the winter. If you heat your home with a wood-burning fireplace or stove, for example, ashes from the fire can fall into your chimney and get into the flue, which could cause a blockage. Similarly, indoor pets can knock over a container and spill water onto the floor.