3 Easy Ways To Avoid Frozen Pipes

2/17/2022 (Permalink)

A burst pipe doesn’t equal holiday fun in Fort Scott, KS, but pipes do freeze and consequently break, all winter long. Things like electronics and documents can be destroyed by flooding from a broken pipe in seconds. Buildings that are not inspected after freezing may harbor standing water, which can seriously damage the building itself and endanger human health. Fortunately, frozen pipes and resulting flood damage can largely be avoided with minimal effort.

Preventing Frozen Pipes

When water freezes, it expands. Most water pipes do not, and the force of the freezing water inside often ends in pipe breakage. Follow these three guidelines to keep your water from getting pushy and damaging your pipes:

1. Keep Your Indoor Temperature Up

As long as the water is on, even a vacant building should never have its thermostat set below 55 degrees. In addition, doors to rooms with plumbing should be open if those rooms don’t have their own heat sources. Indoor heat combats the cold that attacks underfloor pipes and those in exterior walls. If the inside temperature is too low, you may wind up with a frozen pipe.

2. Let the Faucet Trickle

On the coldest nights, leaving vulnerable faucets to trickle can prevent a burst pipe. Water freezes fastest when it’s not moving, and a small amount of flow can disrupt the freezing process.

3. Insulate and Install Heating Devices

Pipes located in places like garages and outbuildings are often especially vulnerable. This plumbing may be adequately protected with foam insulation. In colder climates, however, some pipes may require a little extra help. Heat tape is one option. It wraps around a pipe, providing warmth to keep the water inside from freezing via the use of electricity. Other, similar products can be purchased at home improvement stores.

A burst pipe can cause a lot of problems. Nevertheless, frozen pipes are frequently easily avoidable. Keep pipes at a reasonable temperature and let faucet water flow a little when it’s really cold, and you should avert any need for water damage repair this winter or next.