Dealing with Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes can cause serious problems for a homeowner. The resulting damage can be expensive and may include water damage if the pipes burst. When water is frozen it expands. No matter what material your pipes are made out of, the expanding process can possibly break the pipes. Pipes most likely to freeze are those that are outside or otherwise exposed to extremely cold temperatures.

There is a way to prevent your pipes from freezing. Before the onset of winter be sure to drain your swimming pools and sprinkler water supply and drain, remove and store your outdoor hoses. Additionally, you can also consider installing products intended to insulate pipe such as pipe sleeves or heat cables. Newspaper can be used as added insulation but is not recommended as a long-term solution.

You can take other precautions around the house such as allowing your faucets to drip as running water will help to keep down the possibility of the freezing. You can open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes. Be sure to put any hazardous cleaning materials out of the reach of children and pets. If you leave home for more than a few days, leave your thermostat set to a temperature no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

In spite of all of our best efforts, the fact is that your pipes may still freeze up when you’re faced with severe cold and below freezing temperatures.

There are ways to thaw out frozen pipes but doing it yourself could cause more problems. You may want to check other pipes throughout your home. Usually, when one pipe freezes, more will follow.

Your best bet is to contact a local professional in your area who is equipped to handle the situation rather than attempting a DIY project. They will come to your home with the proper knowledge and tools to help unfreeze your pipes with minimal damage. In most cases, they can give you tips for future prevention.