Follow These Tips for Preventing and Thawing Frozen Pipes

Follow These Tips for Preventing and Thawing Frozen Pipes

There aren’t many worse calamities that can befall a homeowner then burst pipes. The unrelenting flow of water into your home can result in significant structural damage and the loss of valuable possessions. Among the most common causes for burst pipes is cold weather causing them to freeze.

What to Do When Your Pipes Freeze

heating_efficiency_winterize_home_360If you turn on one of your taps and find that water isn’t running, you may have a frozen pipe. You must take immediate action in order to prevent it from breaking and causing some serious damage.

You may want to begin by shutting off the main water supply valve to your home. Doing so will limit the amount of water that spills into your home should the pipes burst.the next step is to thaw the ice that’s blocking the pipe.

Assuming you know roughly where the frozen pipe is located, you can try to warm up the surrounding area through the use of space heaters. You can also try using a heat lamp or your hair dryer to heat the pipes.

If you are unsuccessful using these methods, it’s a good idea to call in a licensed experienced plumbing professional. With advanced tools and know-how, an expert plumber can quickly locate the problem and fix it, thereby avoiding a catastrophic breakage in your plumbing.Of course, prevention is far better than waiting for a problem to occur. So, here are a few tips to avoid frozen pipes in your home.

Run Hot Water

You can warm up your pipes by letting the hot water run. When you turn on your hot water tap and leave it running for a while, the hot water heats the pipes and melts any ice that may have begun to form. Doing this every few hours during cold spells can be a great way to prevent ice from blocking your plumbing.

Install a Heat Trace Cable

Another effective way to keep your pipes warm with the distinct advantage of continuing to work even when you’re away or asleep is the installation of a trace heat cable along your pipes. This heating filament is available in a heating tape that is wrapped around the pipe or as a cable that runs along the length of the pipe.

Watch for Areas That Are More Susceptible To Freezing 

winterize_your_home_360If you have plumbing that runs through your garage or your attic, they may be more prone to freezing since there may not be as much insulation in those parts of your home.

The first thing to do is to make sure you keep your garage door and attic windows closed to keep cold air from coming in. You may also want to consider adding more insulation or having the plumbing moved elsewhere if these pipes freeze frequently.

If you encounter frozen pipes in your home, or if you’re looking for more plumbing tips, place your trust in the friendly Little Rock professionals at Arrow Plumbing. Call us today at 501-753-3838 to schedule an appointment.

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