02/16/2021
It’s that time of year everyone! Temperatures are very low and the opportunity for your pipes to freeze is very high.
Here are some tips...
To Prevent frozen pipes:
-Insulate the pipes using pipe insulation or heat tape
-Seal or caulk any cracks that might let in cold air, especially places where pipes run from inside to outside the home, such as dryer vents or water pipes.
-Disconnect your water hose
-Let the faucets drip
If pipes have frozen over:
- Turn on the faucet. If there is only a drip or trickle of water, you may have a frozen pipe.
-Check along the water supply lines, taking note of very cold spots. -Inspect carefully to see if you notice any line breaks.
-If you find any broken pipes, turn off the main water supply to the house. Then, immediately call your friendly plumber.
To thaw your exposed pipes:
-Wrap the pipe in a heating pad and turn the temperature dial up to high
-position a space heater to circulate warm air around a section of the pipe. Move the heat source to different sections as needed and continue until the pipes are thawed and the water pressure returns to normal.
To thaw your unexposed pipes:
-Turn up the heat in your home. The higher temperatures could help thaw out any pipes located inside walls.
-If needed, cut out a section of the wall to access the pipe. Then use any of the above methods for exposed pipes.
***Tip: Never use extreme heat or open flames, such as a heat gun or blow torch, to thaw a pipe. This presents a fire hazard and can also cause serious damage to the pipe.***
