In freezing temperatures, water expands and increases pressure on pipes, leading to cracks and leaks when the ice thaws. To prevent costly repairs and property damage, prepare for pipe freezing before winter arrives. This article provides tips for avoiding and thawing frozen pipes.
Preventing the Water Pipes from Freezing: Measures to Take in Advance
- Keep water flowing in pipes, even a drip, to prevent freezing.
- Locate and drain uninsulated pipes to eliminate the risk of freezing.
- Add insulation, such as fibreglass or foam pipe adhesive, to maintain pipe temperature above freezing.
- Use heat tape on exterior pipes for an affordable and durable solution.
- Ensure warm air circulates pipes in closed areas to reduce the risk of freezing.
How do you handle if pipes get frozen?
If the water pipes on your property have already frozen and are at risk of damage, you can still thaw them and ensure the safety of your property. It is important to note that the methods for thawing concealed and exposed pipes vary a bit because of their accessibility.
Tips for Thawing Concealed Pipes:
- To thaw frozen concealed pipes, the first thing you need to do is to heat the entire house.
- Another tip for thawing frozen plumbing is to turn on the taps and faucets. By doing that, freshwater will continue running through supply lines and will help melt the ice inside them, thus ensuring an effective thawing of water pipes.
- If the pipes fit in areas like inside the wall, have frozen, and are likely to get damaged, try to reach those by cutting up the walls and exposing them to direct heat.
Methods to Thaw Exposed Pipes:
- For the pipes in kitchens, attics, and basements, you can expose them to heat directly to melt the ice within them. To do that, you can use one of the following methods:
- Use an electric hair dryer to apply heat to the frozen parts of the pipe.
- Expose the frozen pipes to heat by placing electric heaters near them.
- Soak towels in hot water and wrap them around the frozen sections of the pipes to provide them insulation and, hence, aid in melting the ice inside them.
If the above preventive and thawing methods seem challenging, you can get help from a plumber. However, one thing that you should remember is to act before it’s too late. That is because when the ice melts and flows out from the cracked pipes, it can cause heavy damage to your property. If it affects the electrical wiring and connections in the house, it can even result in dangerous incidents. Therefore, to avoid such problems, it is best to take measures in advance and save your water pipes from damage before it gets too late.
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