When the temperatures drop and the days become shorter, it’s only natural for people to retreat to their homes for warmth and comfort. However, winter weather doesn’t just have the potential to chill you while you’re outdoors, it can also do some significant damage to your home if you’re not careful. For instance, during cold spells, there’s a greater likelihood for pipes to freeze in basements and crawlspaces – even in places like Sacramento. And if a pipe freezes in your home and you don’t act fast to thaw it, the water will expand and may cause the pipe to burst altogether. This can flood parts of your home and lead to costly water damage restoration. The good news is that it’s fairly easy to thaw a frozen pipe and there are many things you can do to prevent them from freezing altogether. What should you do if your pipes freeze? Here’s a look:
Open Up Faucets
Start by slightly opening up the faucets that the pipe connects to in order to provide an outlet for the water as the pipe thaws.
Heat the Area Around the Pipe
Grab a hair dryer or a heating pad. If you have a heating pad, apply it right to the pipe itself. With a hair dryer, heat the area around the pipe. Soaking towels in hot water and applying them to the frozen portion of the pipe can also work. You may also place a space heater in the area to warm it and permit safe thawing. Heat the area (or area around the area) until full water flow is restored.
Prevent Future Freezes
Consider installing pipe insulators over the area to prevent pipes from freezing again. There are other things you can do during cold spells, such as letting faucets trickle, to prevent freezing.
Contact Us Today
If you can’t locate the area where the pipe is frozen or are uncomfortable thawing it yourself, contact a licensed plumbed to have the service performed for you. At Gilmore, we’re committed to resolving your plumbing issues – both big and small. And while a frozen pipe may seem like a small issue, it can lead to a big mess if it’s not resolved quickly and correctly. For more information on what to do if you have a frozen pipe and for information on our full gamut of plumbing services, contact us today.
