Do you know what happens when you leave a can of soda in the freezer for too long? It will pop. It happens because the soda (or any liquid) expands when cooled. Soda cans are designed to hold a particular volume of liquid. When the liquid expands, it will put pressure on the can. Then, the can will eventually pop.
The same thing can happen if your pipes are frozen. This is why it is better to learn how to protect the pipes from freezing temperature than to clean up a mess, deal with costly water damage, and pay for a frozen/burst pipe repair.
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Tips to Avoid Frozen Pipes
While there is nothing you can do to prevent freezing weather, there’s something you can do to make sure the freezing temperature won’t cause damage to your pipes. Check out these tips!
Protect the Pipes against Wind Chill
If you stumbled upon this blog and happened to be building a new home, make sure the pipes are away from any walls or the exterior that could experience an extra breeze. Wind chill plays a crucial role in freezing pipes. So pipes near the walls are more susceptible to freezing. If the pipes have been installed outdoors, you can protect them with duct tape and polyethylene pipe insulation.
Turn On the Heat
Pipes likely freeze when the temperature drops to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. So if you don’t let the temperature drop to this temperature alert threshold, you may avoid frozen pipes. You may have to keep the heat on indoors, even when you’re not at home.
It may sound like an impractical idea that will cost you money, but it will be less expensive than dealing with water damage due to a frozen, burst pipe and getting frozen/burst pipe repair.
Let the Faucet Drip
There’s no need to turn on all the faucets at home. Turning on one faucet is enough as long as it’s the pipe fed by the exposed piping. Letting the faucet drip when the temperature goes down may waste some water, but it can keep your pipes from bursting. It won’t prevent the pipe from freezing since even moving water can get frozen. The constant drip will relieve the pressure that’s building up in the pipes, which can help prevent bursting.
Open your Bathroom and Kitchen Cabinets
Your plumbing pipes also need warmth when the temperature drops. One way you can give the pipes the warmth it needs is to open cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom. By opening the cabinets, you’re allowing heated air to circulate around the pipes.
It can be a little inconvenient as you walk around your bathroom or kitchen, but it’s better than having to deal with a frozen or burst pipe. If there are children at home, make sure that the cabinets don’t have anything that can harm the kid.
Keep All Interior Doors Open
Just like opening cabinets, you may find opening all the interior doors a bit inconvenient and uncomfortable. But doing so can help keep heat distribution evenly. Doing the step above may not do anything for your pipes if other interior doors are closed.
Seal Cracks, Holes, or Leaks
Before the chilly winds hit your home, inspect your place for cracks, holes, or any openings. Check the cable holes, windows, and door frames. If there’s any, make sure to seal them properly. If you have a crawlspace, it would be smart to cover the area temporarily to reduce the amount of cold air around your pipes.
Will The Pipe Burst When Frozen?
Not all the time. The possibility of your frozen pipe bursting will depend on a lot of factors, such as the pipe location and the level of insulation. The method of thawing the frozen pipe also affects the risk of pipe bursting.
If you are not confident about dealing with your frozen/burst pipe, contact Goode Plumbing. The company also provides frozen/burst pipe repair services.