The biggest wintertime dread for a homeowner is frozen pipes. In addition to blocking the flow of your water, they also present a serious risk of bursting if prompt action is not taken.
Since broken pipes can result in significant property damage by flooding portions of your house, being aware of what to do when your pipes freeze might help you save thousands of dollars. You can get Hydro-Jetting from a professional or Sewer Jetter.
Why Do Pipes Freeze?
Most pipes freeze when the temperature reaches 20 degrees or lower.
Your home’s heating does not provide any warmth for the pipes that are frequently located in your attic, crawl space, and basement.
Your homes outside walls are right up against the elements where pipes are installed. Inadequate insulation or fractures in your walls that allow cold air to enter might make this situation worse. If you don’t have adequate insulation in your walls, attic, or crawl space, your pipes are more likely to freeze since insulation insulates against the cold.
Your pipes freezing might be significantly influenced by wind cold. The likelihood of pipes freezing increases significantly if your attic or crawl area is draughty.
What to Do When The Pipes Freeze
Open any faucets that are linked to the pipe while turning off the water main that enters the building. Do not leave the faucets wide open. This will lessen flooding if the pipes rupture and lower pressure on the frozen pipes. If you’re planning on spending time away from home, this is especially crucial.
Use a space heater or a hairdryer to melt the ice buildup if the frozen pipe is open and visible. To prevent fire danger, don’t use an open flame, and keep space heaters far enough away from combustible objects like walls.
Look for leaks in exposed pipes. Once the pipe has thawed, there will be enough pressure even with the water main off to detect leaks.
To get your pipes flowing again and, if required, to repair damaged pipes, call a qualified sewer and drain specialist with pipe-thawing equipment.
Plumbers should look over pipes that had a strong freeze, even if no leaks are discovered. The material in certain pipes may need to be changed because it has stretched and been worn out, increasing the likelihood that they will fail in the future. To solve the problem you can use hydro jetting or sewer jetter.
How to Prevent Pipes From Freezing
If the insulation in your attic or crawl space isn’t enough, installing additional might keep your pipes from freezing.
Cabinets under sinks should be left open to allow hot air to circulate the pipes.
Protect your pipes by insulating them. Pipe insulation or heating tape can be used to cover exposed pipes. Keep a comfortable temperature in your home. If you must leave town, leave the thermostat at least set at 55 degrees.
Conclusion
Frozen pipes can be a nightmare. If you live in a cold place where the temperature is too low, make sure you prevent the pipes from freezing, so it won’t be a problem. To unfreeze the pipes, you can use hydro jetting and a Sewer Jetter.
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