When temperatures drop, many homeowners turn on the heater, add some logs to the fire, or put an extra blanket on the bed, but how many of us check on our plumbing system? While this isn’t most people’s first instinct, when pipes meet cold temperatures, they can freeze. And, if the water in your plumbing freezes, it will expand and your pipes will not be able to handle the water pressure, leading to leaks and even bursts.
It doesn’t take consistently freezing temperatures for your pipes to freeze either. In fact, all it takes is one cold day. Generally, if temperatures drop to 20 degrees or lower outside, and stay that way for at least 6 hours, your property could be at risk of frozen pipes.
6 Ways to Beat the Freeze
We can’t control the weather, so the only way to avoid frozen pipes is by taking a few precautions before the cold temperatures set in. Our team at Wallner Plumbing Heating & Air are sharing some tips and tricks to help you avoid potentially damaging pipe issues.
6 methods to combat frozen pipes:
- Evaluate your insulation: It is a common misconception that only homes in cold environments can deal with frozen pipes. However, it can happen to any house, and homes that don’t normally deal with freezing temperatures are less likely to have the proper insulation needed.
- Allow faucets to drip: When it is especially cold outside, keep one or two faucets dripping slowly. Allowing water to move through your faucet will prevent the line from freezing.
- Seal up any cracks or holes: Allowing cold air into your home will only increase the likelihood of freezing pipes. Use caulking or added insulation to keep severe weather out.
- Keep cabinet doors open: Because pipes are often hidden behind cabinets, they aren’t exposed to the warmth in the rest of your house. So, if you’ve turned on your heater, make sure to keep cabinets and other interior doors open.
- Disconnect your hose: Leaving your hose connected to the outside faucet allows residual water to freeze inside the system, potentially expanding to the point that it breaks the device.
- Have an experienced plumber perform maintenance: One of the best ways to ensure your plumbing system is properly insulated and prepared for winter is by scheduling an annual maintenance appointment with an experienced technician. They can evaluate your system and make any adjustments before a cold-snap sets in. Additionally, if a pipe has frozen, they can repair or replace your fixture in a flash.
If you live in Redding or surrounding areas and need expert plumbing services, contact our professionals today by calling us at (530) 223-5622 or reaching out online and we’ll get back to you right away.
