What To Do During a Cold Snap to Protect Your Plumbing

Colder months are coming, and this means that your pipes are more prone to freezing. Freezing and pipe bursting are common problems for most homeowners. While this can be a huge frustration for most of us, there are steps that you can take to prevent yourself from spending a lot on repair costs from ruptured or frozen pipes. In this blog, get to know the methods that you can observe to protect your plumbing from a cold snap. From spotting, if your pipes are freezing to thawing frozen pipes, we got it all rounded up for you. 

How to stop pipes from freezing

Here are some ways to stop your pipes from freezing: 

Let your faucet drip

While some may hesitate to let their faucets drip, this can actually help in preventing your pipes from bursting. The running water from your faucet carries more internal energy that can create friction and heat. 

Insulate your pipes

You can insulate your pipes by paying attention to pipes that are usually unheated. Most pipe insulation is made from fiberglass or foam. Use duct tape or a newspaper for a temporary solution, too. 

Keep kitchen cabinet doors open 

Opening your cabinets during the colder months can keep warm air circulating around the plumbing system. Additionally, the heated air will prevent ice from forming around your pipes if you are expecting a cold night.

Cover crawl spaces 

Temporarily cover crawl spaces to avoid freezing your pipes. Covering crawl spaces can reduce the amount of cold air that surrounds your pipes. You can use foam pieces to cover vents and secure them with duct tapes. 

Close the garage door 

Another way to keep your home at a consistent temperature is to close the garage door. Closing the garage door can also decrease the amount of cold air entering your home. Keep in mind that most pipes are located in areas with easy access to garage doors. If you open your garage doors, this may result in an uneven distribution of heat inside your home. 

Keep a steady temperature throughout the house

Always keep your temperature throughout the house steady by having your thermostat set to the same temperature during nights and days. Keeping your thermostat as consistent as possible can keep your pipes from freezing. 

Signs your pipes are frozen 

Giving attention to early signs are usually practical especially when you want to resolve the issue immediately. To help you understand the issue that you are currently dealing with, here are signs that your pipes are frozen: 

1. Lack of running water in your house. If multiple faucets are not running, it means that you are dealing with frozen pipes that may be impossible for you to resolve without professional help. 
2. Strange smell. If you start smelling some sewer smells while the temperature outside is freezing, there’s a high chance that you have a frozen pipe. 
3. When exposed pipes are covered with ice residue. Once you see ice coating surrounding your pipes, it means that the inside of your pipes is already frozen. 
4. Unusual sounds. These sounds may be gurgling, banging, or clanging. 
5. Cracks on your pipes. This usually happens when the ice finally compromises the quality of your pipes. 

While these signs are considered early signs that you can easily spot, there are signs that you can’t assess if you don’t have the right tools and expertise. 

What to do when your pipes are frozen 

If you have frozen pipes, don’t worry! Here are some things that you can do in dealing with these pipes: 

1. Keep your faucet open to allow moving water to run through the pipes. This can create fiction that eventually results in heat through the pipes
2. Apply heat to the frozen pipe. You can do this by wrapping the pipe with an electronic heating pad or even using a hairdryer. 
3. Continue to heat the pipe until the water flow returns to its regular rate 
4. If the frozen pipes are beyond your DIY methods, it’s the best time to call a professional plumber. In serious situations, professional plumbers may need to cut a hole in your wall or other professional remedies. This requires expertise and necessary tools that you may not have at home. 

When to contact a professional plumber 

When the frozen pipes you have are beyond your control, it’s time to contact a professional team of plumbers. MidCity Plumbers is a certified team of expert plumbers with the necessary tools and expertise for resolving your frozen pipes issues. Our efficient service includes plumbing and heating services completely right from the assessment through the final warming process of your pipes. When the frozen pipes begin to show signs of damage, our expert plumbers can efficiently resolve this and other issues in a safer way. Our plumbing services are available in residential and commercial areas. We cover all your plumbing needs from leaks, clogs, to water heaters or any drainage problems. Just contact us today at 📞 (778) 772-8676 and our team will be right on your doorstep even during emergencies. 

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