How to Prevent Frozen Water Pipes this Winter

When the temperatures begin to drop, the risk of frozen or burst water pipes rises. One of the most common causes of property damage during the winter season stems from bursting pipes. The pipes most likely to freeze are those in unheated interior spaces, such as your basement or garage.

Between snow, ice, chilly winds and more, winter weather can quickly impact the state of your plumbing if it's not protected or appropriately maintained. Some of the most common issues caused by frozen water pipes include:

• Water damage. When a pipe bursts due to freezing temperatures, it unfortunately doesn't mean all the water within the pipes is frozen enough to avoid water damage. In fact, a pipe rupture is typically caused due to expansion. When water freezes, it expands in size and can cause your pipes to break or burst. If the leak or burst goes unnoticed for too long, it can cause significant water damage throughout the home.
• Property restoration. Because water permeates through building surfaces and can do so relatively quickly, water damage from frozen pipes often results in significant property restoration. From replacing soiled carpets to drywall to ceiling structures - there isn't much that can hide from water damage.
• Mold and mildew. Any water leak, no matter how big or small, can lead to mold and mildew problems. Wherever there's excess moisture, mold can and will grow.

How to Prevent Frozen Water Pipes

Below are some tips on preventing water pipes from freezing and how to thaw them if they do freeze.

Prepare Before the Storm

• Remove, drain and store any outdoor hoses. If possible, close inside valves supplying outdoor hose bibs while keeping outside valves open. This will allow any water remaining to expand without breaking the pipe.
• Consider installing insulation products like pipe sleeves, heat tape or heat cable on exposed pipes as well as pipes located in unheated areas. These items can be found at your local hardware store.
• Add extra insulation to crawl spaces, attics and basements. This will help keep higher temperatures in these areas.

Prevent Frozen Water Pipes

• Keep the thermostat set at the same temperature day and night. By not lowering the temperature at night, you may end up with a higher energy bill. However, you can avoid the more expensive costs for cleanup and repair if water pipes freeze and burst.
• Open all cabinets in the kitchen and bathrooms containing pipes. This will allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Don't forget to move any household cleaners or chemicals out of reach from children.
• Keep your garage doors closed, especially if your garage has water supply lines in it.
• Let cold water drip from faucets connected to exposed pipes. Keeping water moving through the pipe - even at the rate of a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• If you know cold weather will hit while you are away from home, leave the thermostat set to a temperature no lower than 55 degrees.

Thaw Frozen Water Pipes

• Keep the faucet open. As the ice begins to melt, you want the water to flow through the pipe. Running water will help the ice to melt.
• Apply heat to the frozen section of the pipe using a heat source such as an electric heating pad, a portable space heater, or a hair dryer. Do not use anything that produces an open flame.
• If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if you are unsuccessful in thawing the pipe, or if the frozen area is not accessible, then give our certified plumbers at Bradley Mechanical a call.
• Check all other faucets for additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, there can be other ones as well.

If you're concerned about frozen water pipes this winter, you're certainly not alone. Over 250,000 homes every year suffer damages from frozen water pipes that burst. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to prevent frozen water pipes from occurring, and there are ways in which you can maintain and improve your plumbing to prepare for sub-zero temps.

The plumbing professionals at Bradley Mechanical are here to help you protect your pipes this winter. We have over 50 years of experience handling plumbing emergencies in Richmond and throughout Central Virginia. If you need help protecting your home's plumbing system or suspect your pipes may be frozen, do not hesitate to give us a call at (804) 748-6728. We will be sure to address any plumbing emergency promptly and carefully.