Frozen Pipe Prevention & Repair Services in Logansport, IN
As the thermostat begins to climb during the spring, homeowners often relax their vigilance when it comes to basic tasks they routinely carry out during the winter. For example, a person might forget to protect the plumbing when a cold snap hits. They then wake up to frozen pipes and must call for a plumber to help resolve the situation. How can a person prevent this common issue? What should they do if their pipes are frozen? Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling in Logansport, IN is ready to help.
Preparation Is Key
To protect against frozen pipes, watch the weather. If a cold front will be moving in, take certain precautions to protect the plumbing system. Cold weather wreaks havoc on unprotected pipes, leading to cracks and burst pipes. The following steps help reduce the risk of problems.
Set the Faucets to Drip
Determine where water enters the home from the main supply. Next, figure out which faucet is furthest from this point. Turn this faucet on and allow water to drip. Many homeowners avoid taking this step because they worry about high water bills. However, the water used by a dripping faucet remains significantly less than the water that could escape from a burst pipe. Add the costs associated with repairing the burst pipe and it’s easy to see why allowing a faucet to drip remains the better option.
Allow Cabinet Doors to Remain Open
Go through the home and open all cabinet doors that normally hide plumbing fixtures. This allows warm air to circulate through the cabinet and warm the pipes. Do this along with allowing the faucets to drip to prevent issues.
Insulation Is Key
Exposure to cold air does harm to pipes when temperatures drop below a certain point. Any cracks and holes near pipes need to be filled to minimize this exposure. Furthermore, homeowners should invest in insulation for the pipes to reduce their exposure to the cold air that can do them harm.
Run the Heat
Keep the heat running to prevent damage to the plumbing system. Ask the technicians at Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling in Logansport, IN what the minimum temperature is to reduce the risk of damage to pipes in the home. Many experts say the home should not be allowed to go below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but your local plumber can provide the best recommendation for your area.
If certain areas of the home get colder than others, consider using a space heater to keep the pipes warm. However, do so with caution. Space heaters remain a safety hazard and should only be used in areas where they can provide the desired heat while remaining at a safe distance from other objects.
Determining If a Pipe Has Frozen or Burst
A homeowner might find that the above steps weren’t enough to prevent damage to one or more pipes in the home. How can a person know if they have a frozen or burst pipe? Look for the following signs.No WaterIf you turn a faucet on and no water comes out, ice is likely blocking the pipe. The same holds when a weak trickle is all that exits the faucet when it is turned on.
Ice or Condensation on the Pipe’s Exterior
A person shouldn’t be able to see ice or condensation on the outside of a pipe. If the exposed pipe shows signs of either, the interior is likely frozen. Most people discover this problem when they examine pipes in their basement or those sitting by exposed walls. Pipes underneath floors may also show signs of ice or condensation.
Unpleasant Odors
Sewer lines may freeze just as water pipes do. An unpleasant odor coming from the plumbing system indicates there might be ice in the sewer line. Call Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling for assistance in determining if this is the case.
Strange Noises
When the pipes begin clanging or banging, consider ice as the culprit. It might be flowing through the pipes and make noises while doing so. However, it’s best to call a plumber to have the pipes examined and learn if the ice did any damage as it made its way through the system.
Cracks
A cracked pipe doesn’t always leak. Ice could block the water from making its way out of the pipe. The homeowner doesn’t realize there is an issue until the ice thaws. When this happens, the pipe may leak or burst.
Interior Damage to the Home
A puddle of water, damp drywall, a bulging area in a wall, or a ring on the ceiling are all signs of plumbing issues. Call Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling right away to fix the problem and minimize the damage.
Call for Help
Never try to fix frozen pipes on your own. Homeowners who do often find their solution leads to more problems than it solves. They find it costs less to pay a plumber than to correct the damage they did.
Our technicians know how to repair any plumbing issue and will come out day or night to fix the problem. Frozen pipes need prompt attention, and our team brings over four decades of experience to each customer interaction. Call us today for help. We remain ready to assist in any way we can.
