Winter is a season of joy, but it can also cause drainage issues in many homes or commercial spaces. The most common one of them is frozen pipes. This issue is prone to occur during the winter when the outside temperature drops below the freezing point.
This issue can cause a lot of damage as the ice can block liquid water from flowing, which will cause it to eventually turn into ice. It can also cause damage to the pipes as the water expands when it freezes, so the ice puts pressure on the pipelines causing wear and tear.
Always check your pipes if you live in extremely cold areas and the temperature is dropping. Taking preventive steps is essential to prevent damage to your drainage system.
As we discussed earlier, pipes mainly freeze in winter when the surrounding temperature drops below freezing point. People who have poor insulation in their pipes or their house are bound to face this issue.
Another reason for freezing pipes is running your thermostat at a shallow temperature. If you run your thermostat too low, even in cold icy weather, water pipes will definitely freeze, causing damage to the whole drainage system.
If your water heating system is malfunctioning, it can also cause freezing pipes as the water flowing through them is already at a low temperature and can quickly freeze.
Here are some signs that might indicate that the pipes in your house are frozen:
If you open your tap or faucet and there is no water flowing out, this might be a sign that frozen water in your pipes is preventing the water from flowing through. If you see this happening, call a plumber to clear the pipes from all the ice – this is not a DIY job.
If you start to hear sounds of running water in your house randomly, there is a high chance that you have frozen pipes. It does not matter wherever you are in your house as this sound can come from anywhere, indicating the same freezing issue. If this happens, you should check your pipes immediately to prevent the situation from worsening.
If you see one of these things happening, call a plumber immediately.
You may face one or more of these significant problems if you have frozen pipes:
When the water in pipes freezes, it expands in size. The pipes cannot hold the ice, and the pressure exerted by the ice causes the pipes to break or burst. This can cause severe damage, and you might have to change all your lines, which can end up being very costly.
Frozen pipes can cause the water to leak out of the pipes and stay on the surface, which can cause mold to form. As the mold forms, it will continue to grow and can also grow inside the house. Mold in your home can cause severe health and hygiene issues such as allergies or respiratory diseases such as coughing and stuffy noses. The most dangerous one is aspergillosis.
The ice in your pipes can cause the liquid water to stop flowing any further, which can lead to no supply of water in any faucet inside the house. Water will also not be available in kitchen sinks, toilets, showers, dishwashers, garden sprinklers, and washing machines.
Here are some methods to prevent frozen pipes and the damages that can occur from them:
It is important to have an insulation system installed around your pipes in all areas of your home, especially in your basements, attics, or storage rooms; basically, wherever you have a water supply. Wherever the pipes are installed, they should be appropriately insulated to prevent the water inside from dropping to low temperatures and freezing.
If there are cracks or gaps in your pipes, you should immediately patch them up, as the tiniest crack can let cold air in and cause freezing. Make sure to seal all cracks or gaps with insulated foam to prevent cold air from getting in.
If you see signs of a frozen pipe problem, you should call a plumber immediately and not waste time with DIY methods. While you wait for professional help, here are some steps you can take to prevent further damage:
Frozen pipes can be dangerous, but you can avoid panic by calling a professional plumber. Follow all the precautions and wait for an expert to assist you as it can be dangerous for you, and you can also make mistakes that might damage the pipes even more.
At Plumbing Services Arlington, we provide emergency plumbing services for frozen pipes. Whether day or night, our team of emergency plumbers is ready to help at anytime. Contact us today to fix frozen pipes and prevent further damage to your property.