Frozen pipes are a risk Warren, MI homeowners are all too familiar with, due to our cold winters. During a period of cold temperatures, no one wants to add inconvenience and damage from frozen pipes. In this blog, we’ll review the cause of, how to identify and how to prevent them in your southeastern Michigan home. Our plumbers are ready to assist you if you experience frozen pipes or any other plumbing problems.
What Causes Frozen Pipes?
When exposed to cold temperatures, the water within your home’s plumbing pipes is susceptible to freezing. The frozen water puts a great deal of pressure on the pipe. This becomes a serious problem if it goes untreated. When a frozen pipe bursts, your home experiences significant flood damage as water spills from the broken pipe.
Frozen pipes are especially an issue when temperatures are dramatically colder, such as in the midst of a Michigan winter. Pipes are at the highest risk in uninsulated areas of your home, such as a crawl space, basement, or attic.
Signs of Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes and related water leaks aren’t always detected right away, because the plumbing lines in your home are often hidden from view. During the winter months, watch for these indicators:
- You have very little or no water from the taps in your home, or one tap in particular. This can indicate freezing in a specific area.
- Frost is visible on the pipes. You may be able to see this on pipes in the cabinets below sinks.
- Your faucets or drains have an odd smell. This indicates a pipe is partially or completely blocked. This blockage allows odors to back up into your home.
How to Thaw Frozen Pipes
If you discover frozen pipes in your home, thaw them to prevent a buildup of pressure before it leads to a burst. Leave faucets open, to allow the flow of water through the frozen area. This helps ice within to begin to melt.
Use an electric heating pad, a hairdryer, or a portable heater to warm the section of the frozen pipe. Towels soaked in hot water may also be wrapped around the frozen pipes. Keep the heat on the pipe until your water pressure is completely restored.
If you can’t locate the frozen pipes in your home, contact us right away. We will check your home thoroughly to identify any areas with frozen pipes, get to work to thaw them and perform any needed repairs.
Prevent Frozen Pipes in Your Warren, MI Home
Take measures to prevent frozen pipes in your home and save your family from the inconvenience and cost of repairs for this issue. During the winter, follow these tips:
- Always leave the heat on in your home. While it is common to set back thermostats when you’re on vacation, in winter months keep your home heated to prevent frozen pipes. Never lower your thermostat below 55 degrees.
- Let faucets drip. Open faucets enough to let the tap drip just a little bit. This protects against a burst because there is no buildup of pressure within the pipe.
- Leave interior doors open throughout your home, as well as cabinet doors where pipes run. This allows heat to flow through your indoor areas and keep pipes warm. If water lines run through your garage, keep the exterior garage door closed as much as possible.
- Insulate your pipes. To protect pipes with a higher freeze risk, apply a layer of heating tape. For pipes in basements, crawlspaces, and attics, the installation of additional insulation offers more protection. Exterior pipes or faucets have protective sleeves available. Also, drain water from exterior sources like hoses, pools, or sprinklers.
Conclusion: Avoid Frozen Pipes in Warren, MI With These Tips From Hoover
To summarize, extremely cold temperatures freeze pipes, which allows pressure to build. This pressure often causes pipes to burst and creates an expensive mess. Keep your thermostat at a minimum of 55 degrees when away for vacations.
If weather events suggest an urgent risk, drip water from faucets and allow indoor heat to reach them with open cabinet doors.
Avoid frozen pipes this winter with the help of Hoover Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling! We have the solutions you need to protect your Warren, MI home against this problem.
Should you experience frozen pipes, our licensed plumbers respond quickly to solve the issue, prevent further damage, and restore water in your home. Contact us today for assistance with any plumbing service!
