How To Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter Season

When outside temperatures are below freezing, then the water from pipes may eventually freeze. When water freezes, it expands, eventually disfiguring the pipes. The solidifying water also pushes towards the closed faucet, causing water pressure to build between the blockage and the faucet opening. Eventually, this can cause the pipe to rupture. This leads to a slew of issues. It is better to prevent problems like these than to deal with the effects that these issues cause. In this article, we will discuss what causes frozen pipes, its associated dangers, and what you can do about it.

Risks Of Frozen Pipes

Pipes that are most at risk of freezing... and eventually bursting are those that are usually outside of a building's insulation. They are generally located in areas that are unheated. Typically crawlspaces, attics, and basements are areas that tend to be risk areas. Outside of the headache of a broken pipe due to expanding ice, there's also the danger of mold. Water from a broken pipe can cause structural damage that can lead to the proliferation of mold. The mold can impact indoor air quality and induce allergies and sensitivities, being particularly dangerous for those who are suffering from asthma. Also, the cleanup required for a ruptured pipe can expose family members to toxins like asbestos or old paint laden with lead. It's integral to use preventative steps to prevent ice from forming and causing pipes to burst.

 

How Can Plumbers Help: Frozen Pipes

One of the best ways to prevent ice formation... is with the proper insulation. A plumber will know to correctly install the appropriate type of insulation around different kinds of pipes. Many times an air leak may cause frozen pipes. These are typically found around entry points. A plumber is able to ensure that entry points are airtight using canned foam or caulk. Sometimes this treatment is coupled with insulation directly within the cavity. Pipe insulation is particularly helpful in unheated spaces. A plumber will be more likely than you to find all the pipes and their corresponding entry points. Sometimes an uninsulated tube or pipe is located in a very unexpected place around the home. For example, an outdoor sprinkler system may have an uninsulated pipe in the middle of your yard. A seldom used cabinet can also have an uninsulated pipe underneath it. In many older homes, the location of the pipes are in poorly planned locations. Sometimes a pipe freezes because their installation is in inferior places. The winter season exposes them to the elements where the homeowners constantly has to deal with unfreezing water pipes or even burst water pipes. Removing, reinstalling, and relocating pipes that freeze regularly can be an extensive process, but it can solve many problems permanently. Typically, this is only necessary when all of the measures do not work. Sometimes a plumber will use larger tubing because they hold a larger volume of water. Larger tubes do not freeze as easily. Smaller, thinner pipes freeze faster, especially if the water isn't actively flowing. When using a  professional plumber, the installation process is seamless and prevents any future complications. The homeowner cannot safely do a project like this.

 

Frozen Pipes Allentown PA

By knowing frozen pipes symptoms, you can prevent a frozen pipes burst. Also, if you see that you have a burst pipe... immediately shut off the water main leading to the pipe to reduce pressure and minimize flooding. Then contact us immediately to address the situation and assess the pipeline. Even if you do not have a burst pipe, if you are interested in knowing how to thaw frozen pipes in a wall or how to thaw frozen pipes underground, then it is probably time to call in a professional. At Robinson Plumbing, we can find the appropriate methods to prevent frozen pipes. If you have a pipe that burst, be sure to call us. We will repair your pipe and figure out what we can do to prevent it in the future. Call our office today to schedule an appointment. Some of the areas we service include: Allentown, Catasauqua, Coplay, Laurys Station and these zip codes: 18101, 18032, 18037, 18059 as well as all surrounding areas in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or contact us for any questions that you might have!

The article How To Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter Season was first published on Robinson Plumbers