Plumbing in Fairfield OH is at risk of freezing when winter weather brings bitterly cold temperatures and pipes are not sheltered well enough. When water freezes, it expands, which can cause a pipe to break. This is a major problem that can lead to a large amount of water damage. Homeowners can prevent the possibility of frozen pipes with some protective strategies.
Protecting Interior Plumbing
Pipes located against walls that are not well-insulated can freeze if they are not protected by the heat of the home. This might happen in cabinets, such as under the sinks in bathrooms and kitchens. When temperatures plummet, opening those cabinet doors should prevent the water in the pipes from freezing unless they are in an unheated part of the house.
Sometimes homeowners close off an unused upper story, for instance. The vents to that level should be opened when temperatures drop below freezing. If an interior door leads to the upstairs, that should be kept open so heat can rise into the space.
Protecting Crawl Space Plumbing
Pipes in crawl spaces are at high risk of freezing when temperatures are bitterly cold. This part of the plumbing in Fairfield OH can be sheathed with foam tubes that serve as insulation. Electrical heat tape is another solution; it can be turned on when the forecast predicts those types of temperatures. Some devices have built-in thermostats, which is a convenient option. If only a small area of the space contains pipes, a 100-watt incandescent light bulb may do the trick because it gives off heat.
Dealing With Frozen Plumbing Pipes
If pipes freeze because protective measures were not taken, the homeowners may be able to prevent the pipes from bursting. The sign of a frozen plumbing pipe is a faucet that does not produce water when turned on. The faucet can be kept open while someone in the house works on thawing the pipe with a hair dryer or runs a small electric space heater. If frozen pipes do break, the main water valve should be shut off and a company such as Jacobs Plumbing & Excavating Inc. called.
