The most frequent plumbing related problem in cold temperatures is freezing pipes. As this triggers severe damage to piping and home plumbing systems, it’s something that you have to be proactive about.

What occurs is anytime the temperature drops below freezing, standing water in the water lines freezes. If it turns into ice, it swells, placing thousands of pounds of stress on the pipes. Once the ice thaws, you have cracked pipes additionally the water can’t get where it should go. If you turn on the tap, nothing comes out at all. Consequently , things have already gotten bad, and you likely have leaks under the house or in the walls.

What ...]]> Frozen pipes is the most common plumbing problem for homeowners. We’ll tell you how to keep your water lines from freezing, as well as how to proceed if they do freeze.

The most frequent plumbing related problem in cold temperatures is freezing pipes. As this triggers severe damage to piping and home plumbing systems, it’s something that you have to be proactive about.

What occurs is anytime the temperature drops below freezing, standing water in the water lines freezes. If it turns into ice, it swells, placing thousands of pounds of stress on the pipes. Once the ice thaws, you have cracked pipes additionally the water can’t get where it should go. If you turn on the tap, nothing comes out at all. Consequently , things have already gotten bad, and you likely have leaks under the house or in the walls.

What To Do About It

First and foremost, ensure that you have insulation on all of the piping. Should you have pipe joints which are subjected to the outside temperatures, be extra careful to ensure that they’re completely insulated. You may buy foam pipe insulation from the hardware store and do the installation yourself. It is really an uncomplicated job which can be done in just a few hours using simple tools.

With regard to piping that’s situated in cabinets or any other locations that may get colder than the other parts of the home, open them up making sure that some warmth gets in there. Specifically watch water lines which are found in attics and basements where there will likely be cold conditions.

Because standing water is the reason for freezing pipes, its also wise to run water through the plumbing system now and again. Turn on the faucets to allow a modest amount of water to drip out when it becomes particularly cold outdoors. When you keep your water going through all of the faucets, it’ll prevent the pipes from freezing.

Likewise be sure you have no stopped up drains. This can be another chance for water to sit there and become ice. Keep all of the piping clear and avoid putting something inside them that’s difficult to break down such as fat, grease and oil.

If you are planning to go away for a vacation, make certain you’ve got everything well protected. Drain all of the pipes to ensure there isn’t any water still left to freeze.

What You Can Do If Your Pipes Are Frozen

If your pipes are frozen, all is not lost. It is possible to heat up the water lines and get water flowing once again in many instances. Consider running warm water through the water pipes or warming them up with a hair dryer. A modest amount of warming can do; simply enough to get it melting. Should you get the water too hot, this may cause additional problems in the pipes.

If your pipes are already damaged, there’s nothing left to do except call the plumbing experts and have them repair the pipes. This can be an expensive and involved project, so make sure that you prevent freezing first. Watching your piping and ensuring that it won’t freeze is a great way to save money.