How to Prevent and Repair Frozen Pipes
Nothing is worse than turning on your faucet only to learn that your pipes have frozen, but it is one of the biggest winter woes affecting us today.
Year after year, we receive many calls from homeowners whose pipes have frozen, and while we love to help in your time of need, we also want you to know that there are many ways to prevent the damage in the first place, and make repairs should it happen despite your best efforts.
Frozen Pipes Prevention
If your pipes freeze, there’s a good chance they’ll burst when they thaw out, creating a huge mess and repair bill. It is in your best interest to do all that you can to prevent your pipes from freezing. You know that winter is coming –prepare your home for the cold just as you prepare yourself and those you love with jackets, blankets, and the hot cocoa.
Here are a few tips for preventing frozen pipes.
• Before winter rolls around, use caulk and weather strip to repair windows that may have holes or cracks, and to seal off any open spaces around your pipes.
• Preventing your pipes from freezing starts outside the home. Ensure that all outside plumbing fixtures have the water supply shut off before winter. Cover them as well.
• Pipe insulation is mandatory. Insulation of the pipes provides them an extra barrier against freezing with increased temperature and reduced moisture build up. You can insulate pipes yourself or give us a call to provide the service. Complete this process in crawlspaces, the basement, the garage, the attic and other areas of the home. Fiberglass and Rubber insulation are both available for pipe insulation. Each is fairly affordable to any budget and available at any home improvement store or plumbing supply company.
• If temperatures are expected to drop below freezing, allow your faucets to run in a slow but consistent drip.
• Consider the purchase of special plumbing products which prevent your pipes from bursting. Several different cost efficient products are on the market. Take a look. They’re definitely beneficial and less costly than a repair job.
If you use the tips above, you greatly reduce the risk of your pipes freezing and potentially causing you substantial damage and repair costs. It is a good idea put each of these to good use before Old Man Winter makes his arrival.
Repairing Frozen Pipes
There is hope if your pipes are frozen but have not burst. You should work vigorously to thaw them out before any greater damage occurs.
Here are a few ways to repair your pipes if they’ve frozen.
• If you notice that a pipe is frozen, leave the faucet running to help it de-thaw faster.
• Inspect the home to ensure that no pipes have burst. If any pipes have burst, shut off the main water valve in your home and call us immediately.
• Many homeowners have tried the hair dryer trick and succeeded, so maybe it is worth a shot for you, too. When you find the frozen pipe, use the hair dryer to heat the pipe by running the unit up and down for a few minutes.
If your pipes have burst, shut off the main water valve and contact us immediately. This is an emergency and needs attention as quickly as possible.
Final Thoughts
Prevention is always best. Use the tips above to prevent your pipes from freezing, and the repair tips should you notice that your pipes are starting to freeze. Remember that DJ Plumbing & Heating Service is just one phone call away when you need us, all winter long. We’ll quickly alleviate any frozen pipe headaches that you might have.
See the rest of our plumbing services here: http://www.djplumbing.ca/services/.
