As a property owner, the winter months bring on a new onslaught of home maintenance tasks and hazards to be aware of. Climates that experience harsh or colder winters can affect your home in many ways.
One of the biggest risks to your home in the cold winter months is frozen pipes. Being aware of your risk of frozen pipes and how to address the problem if it occurs could save you a lot of time and money.
When frozen pipes go unnoticed, the amount of water damage that can happen as a result is extensive. As experts in water damage restoration near Springfield, Ohio we want to help homeowners address frozen pipes before it becomes an emergency.
Why Do Pipes Freeze?
Water freezes at 32 degrees. Luckily your home provides a protective layer of heat from the outside temperatures. Even though it is below 32 degrees outside, your pipes are usually much warmer than that. The risk of frozen pipes, however, begins to rise as temperatures drop below 20 degrees.
The occurrence of frozen pipes happens soley because of temperature. If the temperature outside and consequently in your home becomes too cold for any reason, your pipes are at risk of freezing. It doesn’t matter how new or old your pipes are. If they get cold enough, the water inside will freeze.
Luckily, the process of freezing pipes doesn’t happen in a matter of minutes or even an hour. It usually takes 6-8 hours for pipes to freeze to the point of causing damage. This gives you ample time to act on whatever issue is causing the temperature of your home to drastically drop.
How Do You Know if Your Pipes Are Frozen?
One of the most obvious signs of a frozen pipe is slow-flowing water or no water flow at all. When you turn on your faucets, if you notice this, turn it off immediately and call in the experts. Pipes tend to burst when frozen from a build-up of water pressure.
If you notice flooding or standing water anywhere in your home, this will act as a very obvious sign of a burst pipe.
Can I prevent Frozen Pipes?
There are many precautionary measures you can take to prevent frozen pipes, especially on extremely cold nights. When you notice the temperatures drastically dropping in your area the following precautions should be taken:
- Disconnect hoses
- Open your cabinets
- Run water frequently
- Keep your home temperature up
- What to do When Pipes Freeze
If you notice you may have frozen pipes, there are a few ways homeowners can try to thaw them on their own. We advise, however, that you call a local professional as soon as possible. Consider yourself lucky to have noticed frozen pipes before any major damage has occurred. With frozen pipes, it is often only a matter of time before water pressure builds up and causes significant damage.
Stay warm this winter, and know our team at Reliant Restoration is here for any emergency home services you may need.