Prevent & Deal With Pipe Freezing
As the temperature dips, it increases the chance of your pipes freezing, leaving you with a broken and burst pipe—and possible damage to your home. But that’s not even the worst of it! Not only is fixing frozen pipes expensive and time-consuming, but if ignored for long enough, it can lead to potential health risks due to water contamination.
In this blog post, we’ll dive deeper into what causes pipes to freeze and how to avoid this problem in your home or business. We’ll also advise you on how to deal with this issue.
Why Should You Worry About Pipe Freezing?
Water is special because it expands when frozen. The extra pressure from the expansion can cause even metal or hard plastic pipes to break.
Pipes that freeze most frequently are:
- The risk of freezing and bursting pipes is highest for those most exposed to the cold, such as outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, and water sprinkler lines.
- Pipes supply water to areas of your home that are unheated, like basements, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets.
- Pipes that run against exterior walls have little or no insulation.
Protecting Your Pipes From Freezing
Protect your pipes from freezing by following these recommendations:
- Insulate your pipes: You can purchase special foam pipe blankets or sleeves from most hardware stores to insulate your pipes and prevent them from freezing in cold weather.
- Seal air leaks: Any openings where warm air can escape will allow the cold air to get inside, which could cause your pipes to freeze. Check around door and window frames, electrical wiring, dryer vents, and pipe or tubing entrances.
- Protect your pipes with heat: You can purchase a device that wraps around them to keep them from freezing. Some devices automatically turn on when the temperature dips below a certain level.
- Disconnect outside hoses: If you have hoses connected to outdoor spigots, disconnect them and drain the water from both ends.
What To Do If Your Pipes Freeze
If your pipes have already frozen, it’s important to take action immediately. Here are some steps you can take:
- Turn on faucets: Turn on all the faucets in your home connected to the frozen pipes and allow them to run at a slow, steady stream. This can help melt ice clogs and reduce pressure on the pipes as they thaw.
- Apply heat: Try using an electric hair dryer or heating pad to apply gentle heat to the frozen pipe (but be careful not to use too much heat at once, which can cause the pipe to burst).
- Call a plumber: If you cannot thaw the pipes on your own, or if the frozen pipes have already caused damage, then it’s best to call in a professional plumber with experience dealing with this.
Find Top-Quality House Pipe Insulation At The Best Hardware Store
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From modest and sensible fixtures to elegant, timeless pieces, there’s something to fit every taste and style. These faucets are built to last, ensuring that your investment in them is one you’ll appreciate for years to come. With a wide selection at unbeatable prices, you’ll find what you need at any of our 4 Hardware store in Texas.