Yikes! Frozen Pipes! Don't Let Freezing Temperatures Lead to Frozen Pipes – Part I

Having frozen pipes is something that no home or business owner wants to experience, as it can lead to unsightly water damage, costly repairs and even mold growth. Although the warmth of spring is just around the corner, there is still plenty of time for Old Man Winter to throw some snow, ice and frigid temperatures our way. After all, this is New England, right? So, before you decide to pack away your thermal socks and insulated gloves, it is important to remember that your home or business can still be impacted by February’s frosty temperatures-especially waterlines and pipes.
If you’re anything like me, worrying about frozen pipes sometimes take a back-seat to drive-way shoveling, preventing ice dams and other wintertime woes. So, what happens if your home or business’s pipes do freeze? Aside from wishing you didn’t decide to brave the cold weather all night long without the heat on, your friends at Soil-Away have provided some tips on what to do when the pipes in your home decide to match the frigid winter weather outside.

Why do Pipes Burst When Frozen?

Freezing pipes are enough to make any home or business owner cringe with frustration, as frozen pipes can lead to costly repairs and water damage. However, what exactly causes pipes to burst when frozen? According to the American Red Cross, water consists of unique molecules that expand while freezing, which causes a great deal of pressure on the structure or material that is holding the water, such as metal or plastic pipes and waterlines. The most common types of waterlines to freeze are: water sprinkler lines, swimming pool lines, and pipelines that run along unheated areas of structures such as attics, garages, crawl spaces and basements.

What to do When Pipes Freeze

Yikes! The pipes in your home or business are frozen, and you are unsure of what to do next, as dollar signs and frustration suddenly takes over. To help remediate frozen pipes, a helpful few things you can do to help thaw the effected pipe(s) is:

• Keep the water faucet open and clear (as the water melts, it will begin to flow through the pipe again).
• Apply heat to affected pipe to help thaw the area (i.e. hair dryer, portable space heater or a cloth wrapped in hot water.) Do NOT use flammable materials such as kerosene or propane heaters to thaw the area.
• If you are unable to locate the frozen pipe or thaw the area enough to restore full water pressure, contact a licensed and insured plumber for further investigation.

Visit the American Red Cross, to learn more about what to do for frozen pipes or waterlines.

Soil-Away Is Here for You, New Hampshire!

Soil-Away is a family-owned and operated business that has been serving the communities of New Hampshire for the last 25 years, and are certified mold remediation and water damage mitigation experts. If your home or business experiences mold or water damage due to bursting pipes this winter season, contact the experts at 603-641-6555.
 
Written by: K. Gnatowski