The freezing of plumbing pipes is a very common phenomenon noticed in day-to-day life when it’s winter’s peak. The freezing and hence bursting of pipes is not only a great source of property damage but also brings in a lot of reinstallation troubles, which no individual wants to go through.
Apart from bringing a halt in your normal daily life processes, it also results in draining away money from your pocket. In any case, every individual wants to get rid of such complications. So, here’s a brief on how to prevent your plumbing pipes from freezing.
Table of Contents
Notice the signs:
Freezing does not start suddenly or immediately. Before its progress, it does alert us by certain signs where the attention is demanded. The initial signs can be inferred from the reduced water flow through the faucets. This should already alarm you. If not, turn around and see the pipes around your house, to find ice formations on them.
If you find the pipe, layered with ice, the situation is already vulnerable, and it’s late for you to be able to solve the problem alone now. All you can do now is start searching for an emergency plumber near me. So, stay alert and notice the signs.
Let it flow:
The flowing of a tiny trickle of water from the faucet ensures that pressure does not build up inside the pipe and thus prevents bursting. Moreover, the flowing of water through the pipe, resists the freezing process, as a flow is never stagnant.
Use a heater:
Room heaters, in certain cases, can minimize the effect of the cold temperature on your plumbing pipes, by providing supplement heat. The heated pipes will not allow the building up of ice on the surface or inside the pipe. But, remember to never use a heater inside a bathroom, because it possesses great risks of electrocution.
Insulate to protect:
Insulation is suggested as a long term precautionary measure to get rid of the freezing of plumbing pipes. Insulation can be provided in the attics and basements. This will uphold a higher temperature in the targeted areas and prevent freezing.
Check it till you make it:
Keep a thermostat in your room and of course, a thermometer. Monitor the temperature and keep the thermostat in the correct temperature to prevent the effect of cold on the pipes. When leaving the house, keep the thermostat set to approximately 50-55 degrees. Maintain your temperature checks and your thermostat to relieve you from the problems of freezing pipes.
Homely hacks to get the chill:
Now, there’s quite a few points to share with you, that can aid you with your mission-No-pipe-freezing-this-winter.
If you don’t have a thermostat or heater, or they are out on a repair, you can grab your hairdryer. The warm heated air of the hairdryer will help melt the ice within the pipes. Remember to keep the faucet open to let out the molten ice. You can witness an evident increase in the flow of water, ensuring the melting of ice.
If it’s day and it’s sunny, don’t let the doors close. Let the wind blow in heat in your rooms and cabinets, and under your sink, so you can get a bit of help from nature in your undertaking.
Conclusion:
Now, that’s a little list to share. A good bunch of suggestions to get you out of the nightmare of frozen pipes. But, in case, you are unable to locate the frozen area or melt out the ice, remember to call in the plumber without further delay; until then, have trust in “Prevention is better than cure.”
