Learn How To Prevent Your Pipes From Bursting This Winter
As the temperatures drop across the country, understanding how to prevent burst pipes is an important component of preparing for winter. It’s always important to fix a frozen pipe before it bursts because burst pipes can cause extensive water damage to your home.
Luckily, preventing burst pipes is as simple as being aware of signs that your pipes are freezing and taking certain precautions. Looking for even more ways to prevent burst pipes? Consider reaching out to your local plumbing professionals to help you winterize your home.
Keep an Eye Out for Uneven Water Streams
One sign of a frozen pipe is uneven water streams throughout your home. If you turn on a faucet or shower and experience an uneven stream of water, it is possible that ice blockages have formed within the pipes. Not only are these ice blockages inconvenience, but they are also potentially dangerous to your home.Unaddressed ice within your plumbing can be a sign of a pipe that is exposed to freezing temperatures, which could lead to a completely frozen pipe. What starts as an uneven flow of water can quickly turn into a complete blockage. It’s always a good idea to check various fixtures throughout your home to determine if they’re all affected.
If it’s a localized issue to one specific faucet, you can easily warm up that pipe to start the thawing process. If, however, all your pipes are affected, it could be an issue with your main water line, which needs to be addressed by a professional as quickly as possible.
Check for Pipes with Frost on Them
Some signs of a frozen pipe are easier to notice than others. One of the easiest ways to identify a frozen pipe is frost forming on the outside of the pipes. It is especially important to check pipes in unheated areas of the houses, such as garages, attics, and crawl spaces. The easiest pipes to keep an eye on are those that are easily accessible, such as the pipes under sinks in kitchens and bathrooms.
These pipes are generally more likely to show signs of freezing if they are on exterior walls. Opening cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the pipes is one way to keep these pipes from bursting. You can also use a hairdryer or space heater to start removing any frost that’s already formed.
Is Your Hot Water Running Cold?
Another sign to watch out for is when water is running colder than expected. Nothing can be more disappointing than having cold water run out of a tap or shower instead of warm water. Having water that is colder than wanted could mean that flowing water is possibly being mixed with formed icicles.If your water refuses to warm up, check for visible frost on any accessible pipes. If the source of the cold water remains elusive, call your local plumbing professional for help locating and fixing the affected pipes!
Winter is a magical time full of snow and festivities. However, if that snow makes its way into your home, it’s essential to get it addressed as quickly as possible.
Work With a Plumber for Burst Pipe Repairs
As the number one plumbing experts in the Nashville area, Green Hills Plumbing has been serving its neighbors since the seventies. Well known for the quality work they provide, their contractors are willing to go the extra mile for any customer. Be sure to find out how they can protect your pipes this winter and repair any burst pipes.
