Not only can cold weather put a damper on your spirits but it can also bring about some unfortunate home challenges. Perhaps one of the most inconvenient and damaging is frozen pipes. Frozen water in pipes leads to a build-up of pressure, which can result in broken pipes and consequential flooding, and water damage.
Unfortunately, frozen and broken pipes are a common occurrence during the winter months for those who live in cold weather climates. The good news is that with a little preparation, frozen pipes are preventable and–even if your pipes do freeze–it’s simple enough to get them up and running again.
How can you tell if your pipes are frozen?
The easiest way to tell if your pipes are frozen is by turning the faucet on. If you turn on the faucet and the water either doesn’t come out or only drips out slowly, then it’s likely the pipe is frozen. For pipes that are visible, such as under the sink, another indicator of frozen pipes is frost accumulated on the outside of the pipe.
How can you prevent frozen pipes?
As you might imagine, the key to preventing frozen pipes is to regulate your home’s temperature to keep your pipes warm. You could also consider adding insulation and keeping your home at a warm, comfortable temperature. While it’s tempting to keep your home cool to save on heating costs, doing so puts your home at risk for what could potentially be thousands of dollars in damage should your pipes freeze and burst.
Another tactic is to leave your faucet dripping on especially frigid nights. Allowing water to constantly run through the pipes will prevent against freezing. Keep in mind that this is a temporary solution and should only be used on those especially cold days.
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