Fozen Pipe Prevention and Tips

2/12/2021 (Permalink)

Freezing weather is moving into Conway and Faulkner Counties in Arkansas within the next several days and the best thing you can do is know how to keep your pipes from freezing before those below freezing temperatures hit. Frozen pipes can be preventable.  SERVPRO of Conway & Faulkner Counties wants to offer some tips on how to keep this from happening in your home or business.

How to prevent frozen pipes

Here are some recommend ways to keep your pipes from freezing.

• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing, especially if your sinks are on an exterior wall. (If you have small children, be sure to remove any harmful cleaners and household chemicals.)
• Keep garage doors closed, especially if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Let the cold-water drip from a faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe—even at a trickle—helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature during day and night. During a cold snap it is not the time to set back the thermostat at night.
• Seal cracks and openings around windows, doors, and at sill plates, where the house rests on its foundation.
• If you plan to be away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.

What to do if frozen pipes occur

If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, you may well have a frozen pipe. If a pipe has broken than turn off the water at the main shutoff valve, which is usually at the water meter or where the mainline enters the house. If the water is still running and no pipes have burst, you can take the following steps. (Of course, if you suspect a more serious problem, call a plumber.) 

• Turn on the faucet. As you heat the frozen pipe and the ice plug begins to melt, you want the water to be able to flow through. Running water through the pipe, as cold as it is, will help melt ice in the pipe.
• Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. As tempting as it may be, do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, a charcoal stove, or any device with an open flame; the high heat can damage the pipes or even start a fire.
• Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. Check all other faucets in your home to see whether you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.

If you have had damage from frozen pipes or have questions call SERVPRO of Conway & Faulkner Counties anytime at 501-328-3301 and we can answer your questions or inspect your damage for free.