Hot chocolate, Christmas vibes, hoodies, and long nights mark the winter season. But, when it comes to winter, frozen pipes are certainly not something to look forward to. When temperatures dip below freezing, water in pipes can freeze and form blocks of ice. It can cause serious damage to your plumbing system by damaging the pipes or breaking them completely.
Let’s learn more about this issue.
Water expands as it freezes. When this happens in a pipe, the pipes can freeze and become blocked. There is not enough room for the ice to expand, leading to a frozen pipe.
The coldest temperatures are usually found in areas where the pipes are exposed, such as outside walls and uninsulated basements. Poorly insulated pipes can also freeze in a home or business without proper insulation and winterization.
In a residential space, this often occurs when the thermostat is set too low or when an individual goes away on vacation and turns the heat down. It can cause temperatures inside to get too low, causing pipes to freeze.
Meanwhile, commercial buildings often have to deal with metal pipes, which can expand and contract with temperature changes more easily than plastic pipes. As a result, they are more susceptible to freezing.
There are some simple steps that can be taken to prevent pipes from freezing in winter.
Some pipes, such as those in the attic or crawl space, may not be insulated. You can reduce the risk of these pipes freezing by wrapping them in insulation material such as fiberglass or foam.
Spray foam has the following advantages:
You should keep the heat on in your home during the winter, even when you won’t be there. You can set your thermostat to a lower temperature – around 55 degrees Fahrenheit – during the day and at night if you plan to be away for an extended period of time. It will help prevent your pipes from freezing.
When temperatures dip below freezing, let your faucets drip slowly. A slow stream of water helps reduce the chance of freezing since moving water is less likely to freeze than still water.
If you have pipes running through an unheated area, such as a garage, basement, or crawl space, keep the cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.
Doing so keeps the pipes warmer and reduces the chances of freezing.
If you’re still concerned about your pipes freezing, you can invest in electrical heating tape. This self-regulating tape wraps around the pipes and is thermostatically controlled to turn on and off as needed.
It’s an easy and relatively inexpensive way to keep your pipes from freezing in winter.
Fortunately, repairs can be made on frozen pipes. The most important part of tackling this type of plumbing repair is to take action quickly. The longer the pipe remains frozen, the more likely it is to burst and cause even more damage.
The first step in repairing a frozen pipe is to locate the frozen area. In some cases, this may be easy to determine by simply feeling for cold spots or noticing discoloration on the pipe.
In other cases, you may need to use special tools such as an infrared thermometer or thermal imaging camera to pinpoint the affected area.
Once you have determined where the frozen section of pipe is located, it is important to thaw the pipe as quickly and safely as possible. Start by applying heat to the section of the pipe using a hairdryer, an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, or a space heater placed next to the pipe.
You can also wrap towels soaked in hot water around the pipe, taking care not to leave them on for too long as this can cause the pipe to burst.
Once the frozen area is thawed, it may be necessary to apply a temporary fix while you wait for a more permanent repair.
If the pipe has burst, you will need to turn off the main water supply and drain the system until the leak is fixed. You can then cover the damaged area with duct tape or a pipe clamp to keep it from leaking until you repair it completely.
If you are unable to repair the frozen pipe yourself, it is important to call a professional plumber for help. A qualified plumber will be able to inspect the pipe and determine the best course of action for a safe, effective repair.
It’s best not to do DIY plumbing repairs unless you have the proper tools and experience. Small problems like clogged toilets or slow-draining sinks can often be solved with simple, non-invasive tools like plungers and drain snakes.
But more serious problems such as a burst pipe or a faulty sewer system require the expertise of professionals.
At Plumbing Services Palmdale, we do just that. You can count on our expertise and quality service to repair your frozen pipes. Call us today for a consultation.