What do frozen pipes

Consider installing specific products made to insulate water pipes like a "pipe sleeve" or installing UL-listed "heat tape," "heat cable," or similar materials on exposed water pipes. Consider relocating exposed pipes to provide increased protection from freezing. How to Prevent Frozen Pipes Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage. Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing.

Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children. When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing. Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night.

By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst. How to Thaw Frozen Pipes If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe.

Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation. Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area.

Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe. Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater kept away from flammable materials , or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.

Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. Insulate pipes in unheated spaces like garages, basements, and crawl spaces. Be ready in case you have pipe freeze: Find your water shut off valves and know how to shut off water if you do have a pipe burst.

Get a water alarm to put in your basement or other area where a water leak would not be immediately noticed. What to do about frozen pipes: If a pipe bursts, shut off the water promptly to minimize damage.

If your pipes freeze, use a hair dryer to thaw the lines safely. If you turn on a faucet and only get a trickle of water output, you stand a chance at identifying frozen pipes early enough to thaw them. Frozen pipes that have cracked not only need to be replaced but, if they burst indoors, they can also result in serious water damage in that part of the house within hours of thawing out. Untreated leaks in cabinets, walls, floors, and so on can cost homeowners thousands of dollars to clean up and repair, and even open the door for mold and mildew growth.

While the problem is most common in the Northeast and Midwest, frozen pipes can occur in all regions of the country. Be prepared for a potential catastrophe by first identifying where your plumbing pipes are run and locating water shut-off valves. Always make sure you have easy access to the main water shut off in case of emergency. The location may vary depending on the age of your house, but check inside a garage, basement, or laundry room first, and possibly underground in your yard.

All outdoor water lines to swimming pools and sprinkler systems should be completely drained in the fall so that there is no moisture left inside to expand in freezing temperatures.

Read up on how to winterize your sprinkler system. Also, remove and drain hoses and shut off valves to outdoor hose bibs. It should go without saying, but never put antifreeze in outdoor water supply lines! Water pipes located in unheated exterior walls, basements, crawl spaces, or garages should be well insulated with sleeve-style pipe insulation to help maintain temperatures above 32 degrees Fahrenheit and prevent freezing.

It will also help your pipes—not to mention your wallet overall—if you ensure that all rooms are properly insulated and gaps in leaky windows and doors are closed to prevent blustery drafts. STEP 4: Run the Tiniest Bit of Water If not during the whole winter season, you may consider opening a couple of faucets in the coldest areas of the house where pipes would most likely freeze just enough to let out a trickle of water.