Frozen Pipe Prevention Tips Saint Charles MD

The extreme cold integrated with wind chill creates a significant danger for burst or frozen pipes. Freezing water relies on ice within the pipe, which in turn can broaden and obstruct the line. This obstruction can produce excessive pressure throughout the system and cause pipe failure in vulnerable locations-- no matter if the pipeline is made of plastic, copper or steel. Even a small crack can release more than 250 gallons of water in a single day. The results of frozen water pipes can cause property damage, high repair costs and disturbance of business.

Follow these plumbing tips to assist reduce the threat of freezing pipes, and to help avoid damage and expensive repairs.

Prevention Tips for Frozen Pipes

Open cabinet doors under sinks and in storage locations to allow heat from the room to distribute around uninsulated pipelines. Allow a trickle of cold and hot water to drip overnight; however, be careful not to run the water into a drain line that is exposed to the extreme cold since that line might freeze.
Insulate all pipelines in unheated areas or against uninsulated outside walls, in garages or in crawl spaces. Apply heat tape or thermostat-controlled heat cable televisions around pipelines that are exposed and vulnerable to freezing.
Make sure the heat is turned on in the structure and is set no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Avoid Frozen Pipes

Shut down the water main leading into the structure to decrease pressure on frozen pipes and reduce flooding if the pipelines burst.
Use a hair dryer to thaw the ice obstruction if the frozen pipeline is exposed and visible. (Do not use an open flame to thaw!) If frozen pipes are not visible, contact the experts at Midwest Plumbers.
If you currently discover slower water flow and expect frozen pipes, you must call a plumbing technician immediately. Usually, problems like this can be solved before any damage happens.
If you experience frozen pipes, call our Midwest Plumbers plumbing experts, who use expert pipe-thawing equipment. Call or reserve an appointment online. For a list of basement plumbing services -- consisting of water leak service and laundry room upkeep -- take a look at our site or give us a ring.