There are few things worse than water damage in your home. Unfortunately, during the winter, burst pipes are all too common amongst residential households in the region. The significant drop in temperature that winter brings can be overwhelming to the modern plumbing system. If you do not take the proper precautions, your pipes may freeze, which increases the risk of them bursting. Then, you’re looking at hundreds of gallons of water deposited right into your home. You have an opportunity to prevent that by utilizing the following information.
Preventing Frozen Pipes
They say prevention is the best form of medicine. That long-enduring saying reigns true even for your home’s plumbing system. This winter, take some time to properly prepare your exposed water pipes for the ensuing cold front. Here are a few useful tips to prevent frozen pipes:
- Drain both your swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines. Use the manufacturer’s directions to drain both properly. Never put antifreeze in the lines unless directed by the manufacturer.
- Remove, drain, and store any outdoor hoses in warm, dry locations for the winter. Close the inside valve supply to any outdoor faucets. Then, open the outdoor faucet to allow water to drain. Keep the valve open during the winter to prevent rapid water expansion.
- Inside your home, consider adding proper insulation to the attic, basement, and crawlspaces. Insulation will help retain heat for longer in unheated areas.
- Check your home for exposed water supply lines. Take some time to wrap these pipes in pipe insulation, which can be purchased from any local hardware supply store.
- If you have exposed water pipes in your garage, consider keeping the garage door closed during the winter.
- During the night, when temperatures are at their lowest, turn on the cold water faucet to just a drip. That slow drip will prevent the pipes from freezing during the night.
- Lastly, consider opening the kitchen and bathroom cabinets to let warm air circulate inside and around the pipes within.
Thawing Frozen Pipes
Despite your best efforts, some pipes may still freeze. If that happens, you need to act promptly. Here is how to thaw a frozen pipe:
- Turn on the faucets in your home. As you treat the frozen pipe, the water will flow into the drain. The running water will help unfreeze the rest of the pipe.
- Apply heat to the frozen section of pipe using an electric heating pad, electric hairdryer, portable space heater, or a towel soaked in hot water.
- Never use an open flame device to thaw a frozen pipe.
- If necessary, call an experienced plumber or restoration professional to thaw a frozen pipe before it bursts.
If you are dealing with frozen pipes in Denver or the surrounding areas, take a step back and call Restoration 1 of Central Denver. We offer the top frozen pipes and water damage restoration services in the region. Give us a call at 720-524-4680 today!