The winter months are associated with freezing temperatures. While the season may make you think about your furnace, you should also be mindful of your home’s plumbing.
When the temperature drops below freezing, the water in your pipes may potentially freeze. Most often, the ice in your pipes stops the flow of water temporarily before thawing when temperatures rise. However, there are some cases where freezing temperatures can cause ice within the pipes to expand, breaking a vulnerable pipe and causing leaks and flooding in your home.
The following are ways to avoid the negative impact of frozen pipes:
- Know where your pipes are located. Most homeowners are unaware of the locations of their piping throughout their homes. A small frozen section is all it takes to cause a major breakdown in the entire piping system. Contact a licensed plumber to perform a thorough audit of your plumbing for potential freezing risks.
- Wrap up at-risk pipes. Once you have determined which pipes are at risk, protect them with insulation by wrapping vulnerable piping up with either heated tape, foam tubes, or even newspapers.
- Leave doors to under-sink cabinets open overnight. This is especially true when nights are extremely cold since exposing those pipes directly to your home’s heat can help when outdoor temperatures are below freezing.
- Heat up your pipes. If one your pipes do freeze, try to prevent damage by thawing the frozen section from the outside. Use a hair dryer and never an open flame.
If a worst-case scenario occurs, such as a broken pipe that causes flooding, shutting off your home’s entire water supply can prevent significant flood damage. Make sure you know where your main shutoff valve is located and contact Smith’s Plumbing Services to let our licensed, Bartlett plumber make the necessary repairs. With more than ten years of experience, we are prepared to fix any plumbing issue and return your peace of mind.
Contact us and request a service today.