Winter is coming.
It’s that time of year again: the days are getting shorter. The snow is falling, the temperature’s dropping, and you’re staring at your pipes with dread. The leaves are falling from the trees, and you can practically see your breath when you walk outside.
Additionally, you know what’s coming: frozen pipes. And that means you’re going to be spending an ungodly amount of time trying to thaw them out so that you can get back to your normal life again.
But if you’ve got frozen pipes, winter can be a nightmare!
But it doesn’t have to be that way! We’ve got some tips for preventing frozen pipes this winter from professional sewer line repair and replacement experts to ensure your home stays warm and cozy when cold outside.
So sit back, relax, and let us show you how to prevent frozen pipes during winter!
What is a Frozen Pipe?
A frozen pipe is a pipe that has been exposed to below-freezing temperatures and has become partially or completely frozen. The water inside the pipe freezes, expanding and breaking the pipe’s walls. If a frozen pipe is not thawed and repaired quickly, it can cause extensive damage to your home’s foundation and other parts of your property.
Causes of Frozen Pipes
The winter is here, and it’s time to start worrying about your pipes. Frozen pipes can cause severe damage to your home, so it’s important to be aware of the conditions that can cause them.
Here are some causes of frozen pipes:
Temperature and freezing conditions
When temperatures slip below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, water can start to freeze. When this happens, it’s called “freezing.” The first thing that happens is that ice crystals form in the pipe walls; then, as more water freezes on top of those crystals, they grow larger and larger until they finally block all the space in the pipe. At this point, water begins to back up behind them—and once it hits a certain pressure level (usually about 20 pounds per square inch), it will begin to force its way through any cracks or holes in the system that it can find—causing leaks!
Water pressure and stagnant water
If your home uses well water, then you may be at risk of freezing pipes. Well, water is often high in minerals, which means there’s more “stuff” in the water that can lead to freezing. And if there are any leaks or other issues with your system, then this can cause problems as well—especially if the leak is close to an exterior wall (which can cause condensation).
Cracks and leaks
If your pipes have cracks or leaks in them, they’re more likely to freeze over. This is especially true if you live in an area with extreme temperatures or frequent temperature changes.
Improperly closed vents or gaps
If there’s an open vent or gap around your pipes, it can cause them to freeze. This happens because warm indoor temperatures will be unable to escape through these openings and create a cold spot that freezes the pipe in that area.
Signs of Burst or Frozen Pipes
You know you’re a homeowner when you wake up to the sound of water dripping in your kitchen.
You might be thinking, “Hey, that’s not so bad!” But let us tell you—it’s not just a little leak. It’s the sound of your pipes bursting. And if you don’t do something about it right now, there are seven signs that might alert you to the fact that your pipes are frozen or bursting:
Here are six of them:
1. You smell something different in your home. If you notice a new scent that’s not normally there—especially if it smells like rotten eggs—it might be because of your pipes. If this happens, call a plumber right away!
2. Your water pressure has suddenly decreased or become inconsistent. This can happen when water freezes in the pipes and forces them to swell up, reducing the water flow through them. If this happens at home, try to prevent burst pipes, turn off any faucets and call in a repiping specialist ASAP!
3. You have unexplained leaks where there shouldn’t be any leaks (like on the ceiling). This could mean that ice has formed inside your pipe joints and caused them to burst open from the pressure inside them—so if you notice any drips coming from places where there shouldn’t be any drips (like from your basement), call someone immediately!
4. You hear a loud noise coming from your plumbing system. If this happens while it’s raining, then it might just be thunder. But if it happens at any other time, call a plumber immediately for Sewer Line Repair & Replacement in Paso Robles!
5. Your toilet stops flushing properly and starts filling up with water instead of flushing itself down the drain—and then starts overflowing onto your floor! This is definitely one of those times when calling someone else to fix it for you is probably better than trying yourself because this could mean something serious is wrong with your plumbing system (like frozen pipes).
6. Water that looks brown, red, or rust-colored, even if it is clear after running for a few minutes.
How To Prevent Burst Pipes In Winter?
Winter can be a tough time for pipes.
You know that feeling you get when sitting at home, cozy in your pajamas, and suddenly hearing the sound of rushing water?
So before calling a professional sewer line repair or replacement plumber—just follow these simple tips to prevent burst pipes in winter:
Insulate exposed pipes
If you have exposed pipes in your house, you should consider insulating them. This will help prevent water pipe bursts from cold and affecting them as much, and it will also help keep them warm during those chilly winter days when you are not home.
Seal gaps and cracks.
If there are any holes in your walls or floors where pipes run through them, seal them up! This is especially important if you have older homes with wooden floors (and if you live somewhere with freezing winters).
Maintain adequate indoor temperature.
Keeping the temperature inside your home at a level that will prevent freezing is crucial when it comes to knowing how to keep pipes from freezing. Make sure you aren’t using any heat sources that could cause overheating or excessive heat in an enclosed space, like a fireplace or space heater.
Open cabinet doors.
Another tip for how to prevent burst pipes is to make sure there’s enough room for warm air to circulate through your home’s walls and ceilings by opening up any cabinet doors or closets where pipes may be located. This way, any heat from central heating systems can easily reach those areas where cold air might accumulate instead of becoming trapped within them!
Let faucets drip.
In other words, don’t turn off the water when you leave the house or sleep at night. This way, if a pipe bursts while no one is around, it won’t cause much damage.
Install a temperature monitoring system.
This tip on how to prevent burst pipes in winter will let you know when your pipes are getting too cold—and thus likely to burst—so that you can take action before disaster strikes!
Winterize your pipes!
The best way to prevent burst pipes in winter is to prepare your property for the cold months ahead. If you have a vacant property, consider investing in a temperature monitoring system that will alert you if temperatures rise or fall too far outside an acceptable range. This can help you avoid costly repipe repairs and major damage to your property when the temperatures drop below freezing.
How to Thaw Frozen Pipes?
There are a lot of ways to thaw frozen pipes, but none of them are as easy as this:
- Identify the frozen pipe by checking for frost or a section of pipe that feels extremely cold compared to the rest.
- Open the affected faucet to relieve pressure and allow water to flow once the pipe thaws.
- Apply gentle heat to the frozen pipe using a hair dryer, heat lamp, or towels soaked in warm water.
- Start thawing the pipe from the nearest faucet and work your way toward the frozen section.
- Never use an open flame or high heat source to thaw a pipe; it can cause damage or fire.
- Continue applying heat until water begins to flow freely from the faucet.
- Keep an eye on the thawing process and be patient, as it may require some time to defrost the pipe completely.
- If you are unable to identify or access the frozen pipe, or if you are unable to defrost it, seek the help of a professional repipe specialist.
- After successfully thawing the pipe, take preventive measures to prevent it from freezing again, such as insulating the pipe or adding heat tape.
- Inspect the pipe for any signs of damage or leaks. If you notice any issues, contact a plumber to assess and repair the pipe as necessary.
Call Professional Sewer Line Repair Professional If Your Pipe Burst or Freeze!
Bursting pipes and frozen pipes are a pain. They can be hard to fix, and they’re not fun to deal with when you’re trying to deal with them. If your pipe bursts or freezes, and not a single DIY tip on how to prevent pipe burst in the winter is working, it’s time to call Rocksteady Plumbing right away!
Rocksteady Plumbing is the best choice for all your plumbing lines services and solutions, whether you have a pipe burst or freeze. We offer 24-hour emergency service, and we’ll be there as soon as humanly possible to fix your pipe issues.
We’re here to help you get your plumbing back up and running in no time. We’re experts in:
– Burst pipe repair
– Frozen pipe repair
– Sewer line repair
– Drain cleaning services
We’ll make sure that any repairs we make are done with high-quality materials and at a reasonable price. We’ve been in business since 2008, so you know you can trust us with your sewer lines!
Additionally, we take pride in our customer service, and we make sure that we treat every customer like they’re our favorite person in the whole wide world (because they are).
Our team is trained and certified in all types of plumbing services, from leak detection to pipe repair.
Whether you need a new faucet installed or an old one repaired, we can help! We also offer emergency services 24/7, so if your pipes burst at 3 am on Christmas morning, you don’t have to worry about calling anyone else—we’ll be there ASAP!
Call us today at 805-237-7625 to schedule an appointment for Plumbing Lines Services and Solutions in Paso Robles!
