Preparation is one key to great success. When you choose to prepare for what is to come, you feel more confident and peaceful. At Acts of Service Plumbing, we know winter is just months away. Here is an article to help you prepare for the winter season. If you need the best plumbing Tulsa repairs, call us today!
PIPES FROZEN IN THE WINTER
WHY DO PIPES FREEZE
Your water pipes are particularly susceptible to freezing during the winter. The majority of us are astonished and appalled when a frozen pipe renders our plumbing system inoperable or, worse, bursts and causes floods. However, frozen pipes aren’t a frequently acknowledged feature of house ownership. The factors listed below may increase your pipes’ susceptibility to freezing. These elements frequently come together to form a disaster recipe:
- 20 degrees or lower temperatures – Despite the fact that water freezes at 32 degrees, it is more protected inside your pipes than it is outside. It must become quite cold, well below freezing. The majority of frozen pipe incidents occur when the outdoor temperature drops to 20 degrees or less.
- Being in unheated interior spaces – Your house’s heating does not provide any heat for the pipes in your attic, crawl space, or basement, which are frequently home to pipes. These chilly parts of your home are where pipes most frequently burst.
- Due to their location in exterior walls, pipes in your home’s exterior walls are directly exposed to the elements. Insufficient insulation or wall flaws that let cold air in might make this situation worse.
- Lack of insulation – Because insulation in your walls, attic, or crawl space protects against the cold, it increases the likelihood that your pipes may freeze.
- Drafty places – Wind chill can significantly contribute to the freezing of your pipes. The pipes in your attic or crawl space are far more likely to freeze if they are drafty.
Why Pipe Freezing is a Problem
Water has the unusual characteristic of expanding when it freezes. Whatever is confining it, such as metal or plastic pipes, is put under great pressure as a result of this expansion. No matter how sturdy the container, pipes can break due to expanding water.
Most typically, pipes that are exposed to extremely cold temperatures, such as outdoor hose bibs, pool supply lines, and sprinkler lines, freeze.
Water supply pipes in internal, non-heated locations such garages, attics, basements, or kitchen cabinets. Pipes that are located near exterior walls with insufficient or no insulation. When you need the best plumbing Tulsa repairs, call our great team today!
How to Protect Pipes from Freezing
Follow these suggestions to prevent your pipes from freezing before the winter weather arrives:
- In accordance with the manufacturer’s or installer’s instructions, drain water from the supply pipes for sprinklers and swimming pools. If not instructed, do not add antifreeze to these lines. In addition to being hazardous to the environment, antifreeze is also detrimental to people, pets, wildlife, and landscaping.
- Hoses used outside should be taken out, drained, and stored. Close the internal hose bib supply valves. To let the water drain, open the exterior hose bibs. Keep the outer valve open to allow any water that is still inside the pipe to expand without breaking it.
- Attics, basements, and crawl spaces should all have insulation. Higher temperatures will be maintained in these places through insulation.
- Look around the house for any further locations where water supply lines may be found in chilly places. Look behind kitchen and bathroom cupboards, as well as in the garage. These regions need to have insulated hot and cold water lines.
- Consider putting in “pipe sleeves” or covering exposed water pipes with “heat tape,” “heat cable,” or other insulation goods that are UL-listed. Even 14″ of newspaper can offer significant protection in regions where temperatures below freezing are not often frequent or prolonged. Newspaper can offer some degree of insulation and protection to exposed pipes.
- Move exposed pipes if you want to strengthen their protection against freezing.
- Still need plumbing repairs help? Call us today for the best plumbing Tulsa solutions.
HOW TO PREVENT YOUR PIPES FROM FREEZING
- If there are water supply lines in the garage, keep the garage doors closed.
- Open the doors to the cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom to let warmer air flow around the piping. Make careful to store any hazardous household products up high and away from children’s reach.
- Allow the cold water to trickle from the faucet that is served by exposed pipes when it is extremely cold outside. Even a trickle of water flowing through the pipe helps keep pipes from freezing.
- Maintain the same setting for the thermostat throughout the day and night. You can pay more for heating if you temporarily stop using lower nighttime temperatures, but you’ll save money if pipes don’t freeze and burst.
- If When leaving your house during chilly weather, keep the heat on and set it no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heat the area until the water pressure is back to normal. Call a qualified plumber if you cannot find the frozen location, if it is inaccessible, or if you are unable to thaw the pipe.
- In order to determine whether you have other frozen pipes, check all other faucets in your house. Other pipes might also freeze if one pipe does.
- Gain the wisdom you need from a professional plumber. Call us today for the best plumbing Tulsa services.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR PIPES FREEZE
- If it’s below freezing outside and you realize that one or more of your faucets aren’t working, you probably have a frozen pipe. The pipe needs to defrost quickly in order to avoid exploding. To safeguard your plumbing and your house, take the following precautions:
- Turn off the water. Your main water supply valve must be located. Call the emergency number of your utility provider if you are unsure of its location and need help finding it.
- Try to locate the frozen pipe; keep in mind that it’s most likely under a sink, in a basement, a crawl space, an attic, or an external wall. Most likely, the outside of the pipe will be covered in frost.
- Open the faucets that are attached to the pipe to release pressure non-frozen portions of the pipe.
- Examine the pipe for leaks; if you discover that it is fractured or has ruptured, call a plumber right away.
- Try using a hair dryer or space heater to thaw the pipe if you can find it and it is easily accessible. Use a closed flame only.
CALL A QUALIFIED PLUMBER FOR FROZEN PIPE REPAIR
In any case, you may be able to effectively defrost a pipe on your own. Contacting a licensed plumber for help is a good idea. They will come prepared with specialized tools for securely and successfully defrosting pipes. Additionally, they’ll be able to spot any harm that isn’t immediately obvious. Even if a frozen pipe appears to be in good condition, it may really have an unseen crack or break that will cause it to leak once it has thawed. The pressure of the ice may have deteriorated the pipe even if it did not burst or spill. Another key point to remember is to have previously frozen pipe checked by a professional plumber. By doing this it will ensure they are still sound and not in danger of failing.
Learn More About Us:
Is it possible to begin a plumbing company with only $13,000? Learn how Acts of Service Plumbing achieved the impossible because of faith at About Us | Plumbing Tulsa | Acts of Service Plumbing.
Who are the companies we have had the pleasure of serving? Visit Paul Davis’ website to learn more at Paul Davis Corporate – Restoration and Emergency Service Provider.