Temperatures are definitely cooling down, and soon enough we will see plenty of freezing weather and subsequent snow. Along with this comes an unfortunate problem for a number of homeowners: frozen plumbing. Unfortunately, frozen pipes can lead to extensive damage if not addressed properly. This is because as water in the pipes freezes, it expands and puts pressure on the walls of the pipes, which can lead to leaks or even plumbing ruptures.
To protect your plumbing system from this relatively common wintertime issue, there are a number of steps you can take. Keep reading to learn more about how you can take action. And if you do discover any problems with your plumbing system as we continue through fall and quickly approach winter, be sure to contact a trusted professional plumber in Roy, UT, such as any plumber on our team!
Prevent Frozen Pipes
The thing about frozen pipes is that they can occur in even just one night of freezing temperatures, especially if you don’t take the proper precautions. Fortunately, we’re here with a few tips that may help you out. First off, you should:
- Open and Drain Outdoor Faucets: Your outdoor pipes are, naturally, going to be the ones most susceptible to freezing. Be sure to turn off the water flow to these faucets, whether they’re used for sprinklers, hoses, or any other outdoor use. Leave the faucets open after you’ve let the water drain from them. You may even consider putting insulated caps on your hose and faucet openings as an additional layer of protection.
- Disconnect Hoses: You probably have hoses that you use outdoors during the warmer portion of the year. Before temperatures drop too low, it’s a smart idea to disconnect these hoses, let them drain, and then store them inside.
- Insulate your Pipes: There are a number of pipes running through your home that could be susceptible to freezing temperatures, but that you still need to use during the winter months. Pipes that are attached to faucets that you can’t simply drain and turn off the water supply to, for instance—like under the sink pipes, basement pipes, or pipes running through the crawlspace. To protect this portion of your plumbing during winter, you should invest in some pipe insulating sleeves, which you can purchase from your local hardware store. This helps to keep the temperature of the water in your pipes from dropping too low. You might actually be able to accomplish this with towels, if you choose to go that route.
- Keep Your Cabinets Ajar: This tip can leave you scratching your head, but read on! Plumbing fixtures in your bathrooms or kitchen are typically under your sinks, or run behind the walls that lead outside. This makes this particular part of your plumbing system sensitive to freezing. But leaving your cabinets where these pipes exist open will help the warmth from your heating system reach them, making them less likely to freeze.
What if Your Pipes Freeze Anyway?
This can happen even with the most diligent of homeowners taking all the proper precautions. Weather is unpredictable sometimes, and if you have a few consecutively cold days below 30°F, it’s more likely to happen. What you should do right away is give our professionals a call. What you should avoid doing is attempting to thaw out the pipes on your own, as you can end up harming or damaging the plumbing system, and could even get injured as a thawing pipe has the risk of bursting.
Contact your HVAC and plumbing experts at Rentmeister Total Home Service today!