You should also avoid using a space heater unless you are sure the area is clear of any flammable material. Again, never leave the space heater unattended. Continue applying heat until water flow returns to normal.
Once you have successfully thawed the pipe, turn on other faucets in your home to check for any more frozen water pipes. Take swift action if the frozen pipes are located inside an exterior wall. This is a serious situation when you should call a professional contractor, as repairs may involve cutting a hole in the wall toward the inside of the house to expose those pipes to warmer air.
To prevent pipes from freezing and causing major damage, follow these steps: Drain water from pipes that are likely to freeze. This includes your swimming pool and sprinkler water supply lines.
Disconnect any hoses from the outside of your home, drain the hoses and store them in the garage. Make sure to close the indoor valves supplying these outdoor access points. Insulate the area around vents and light fixtures. This helps prevent heat from escaping into the attic.
Seal any wall cracks. Be sure to pay careful attention to the areas around utility service lines. Open kitchen cabinets. This allows the warm air to circulate around the pipes. Keep the garage doors closed to protect water lines. The winter months can definitely wreak havoc on your water pipes.
One of the most common calls we get in the wintertime is to replace pipes that burst during the latest cold snap. What actually happens to your pipes when they freeze, and more importantly, what can you do about it?
Anytime the temperatures fall below 32 degrees Fahrenheit the freezing point of water , any exposed water pipes are in danger of freezing.
Unlike other liquids, water actually expands as it freezes, rather than contracts. In other words, ice takes up more space than liquid water. When your pipes freeze, the freezing water inside them puts incredible amounts of pressure on the pipes themselves, often weakening and causing them to crack.
The real problem begins when the weather warms up again and the water melts. Any cracks that formed will now leak water, and as the weakened pipes expand with the heat, they can rupture and start spewing out water, causing flooding and water damage. When it comes to freezing pipes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The best way to prevent a pipe burst is to keep pipes from freezing if at all possible. Some tips to try:. If you turn on the water and only a trickle or no water comes out, the pipes may have already frozen.
Try the following:. Pipes freezing and breaking during the winter is a fairly common occurrence. We just don't hear about all of them because they usually aren't so over-the-top.
But anytime water is cascading unimpeded through your home, it's a very real and personal disaster. Most of the time your water pipes are safe from freezing. But if they run through any part of the house that isn't heated, or if the heating system fails, the water inside can turn to ice. When water in a pipe freezes, it expands and puts tremendous pressure on both metal and plastic pipes.
If the pipe breaks, it can easily release a torrent of water into the building. Obeying the law of gravity, the water will gradually work its way to the lowest part of the building, usually a basement or crawlspace.
Water from a broken pipe can not only ruin furniture and other belongings but building materials. In severe cases it can cause structural damage and allow for the growth of mold. Mold, in fact, can be an unpleasant leave-behind , cropping up long after the mess has been cleaned up. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights.
Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Landlords Tips. Table of Contents Expand. Table of Contents. Why Are Frozen Pipes Dangerous? Pipes Vulnerable to Freezing. Act Quickly. The Cost to Fix a Frozen Pipe. Will Insurance Cover It? By Erin Eberlin Full Bio Twitter Erin Eberlin is a real estate and landlord expert, covering rental management, tenant acquisition, and property investment. Learn about our editorial policies.
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