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Frozen Pipes
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Frozen Pipe Prevention & Repair Services in Peru, IN

Whether it’s the dead of winter or the early days of spring when a sudden snap back into freezing temperatures is always possible, it’s important to remember the damage cold can do to plumbing in Peru, IN. The damage caused by a frozen pipe can soar to thousands of dollars in repair costs quickly, and sometimes these costs will not be covered by a homeowner’s insurance policy. Make sure you know how to protect your home from this costly disaster.

Preventing Freezing Pipes

The best thing a homeowner can do to address the problem of frozen pipes is to know how to keep them from freezing in the first place. These precautions are ones every homeowner should know.

Dripping Faucets

Usually, dripping faucets are a sign that it’s time to call your local plumbing professional, but in the coldest months of the year, it may be okay to leave the issue unaddressed. Allowing faucets to drip keeps flowing slowly in pipes, making freezing less of a threat.

Seal Cracks and Holes

Be on the lookout for damage to walls or floors that shelter pipes. Even a small hole or crack can allow cold air to reach your pipes and start the freezing process. If you notice cracks or holes, work to patch them up and restore the pipes’ protective insulation.

Open Cabinets

While this may seem like an odd thing to do, opening the doors to cabinets in places like the kitchen or utility room can help prevent freezing pipes. Oftentimes, pipes are hidden behind features like cabinetry, and the warm air in a home can have a difficult time penetrating through these features to keep the pipes warm. By opening cabinet doors, you’re allowing warm air to get inside and reach the pipes behind.

Turn Up the Heat

Plenty of people turn down the heat in their homes when they’re not present to save money. Whether you’re turning down the heat for the day while at work or for a week while on vacation, the risk of freezing pipes grows every minute that the heat isn’t running. Consider leaving it on or using a space heater to manage the temperature around your pipes.

Pipe Insulation

While most pipes get some protection from the insulation already installed in a home’s walls, additional insulation, particularly for pipes located nearer the exterior of a home or ones that are exposed, can mean the difference between a pipe remaining intact and bursting.

Identifying a Burst or Frozen Pipe

If you suspect that a pipe in your home may have frozen or burst, there are a few signs that can help you confirm what has happened.

No Water

If a faucet is supposed to be running and no water is coming out or there’s only a weak drip, there’s a good chance the pipe carrying that water has an ice blockage somewhere in the line.

Condensation and Visible Ice

If you can see ice or condensation has formed on the surface of an exposed pipe, there’s a good chance the water inside has frozen. This indicator is most commonly seen on pipes located underneath floors, in basements, or near exterior walls.

Foul Odors

A home’s water pipes aren’t the only ones at risk of freezing in cold temperatures; sewer lines can be victims too. A sure sign of a frozen sewer line is a bad smell throughout the home, but especially in bathrooms.

Weird Noises

If bangs or clangs are echoing through the pipes, the source of the sound could be chunks of ice floating inside. Just because there’s water for the ice to flow on doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be concerned. These strange noises definitely warrant a call to a local plumbing professional.

Cracking

As water freezes, it expands. This expansion can put a lot of pressure on pipes, causing them to crack and break. While ice may prevent the cracks from leaking at first, as the ice begins to melt, water will flow through the cracks. Depending on the severity of the crack, this could cause everything from a small leak to a major flood.

Water Damage

Water damage in the form of pooled water, damp drywall, ceiling rings, and bulges are all calling cards of a burst pipe. If you see any of these issues, it’s time to call a professional. These signs of a burst pipe are the most worrisome, as they indicate expensive damage already being done to a home. The sooner professionals can deal with the problem, the less damage the frozen or burst pipe will cause.

Repairing Frozen Pipes

It’s always best to allow professionals to handle issues stemming from frozen pipes. Attempting to thaw them yourself can lead to more severe damage and could end up costing more in the long run. Any work the plumbing experts do is guaranteed to be effective and long-lasting.

If you’re noticing issues with your pipes, give the technicians at Summers Plumbing Heating and Cooling a call. They’re prepared to deal with this common issue and keep your home running smoothly.

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