How To Deal With Frozen Pipes
When the temperature outside drops below freezing, this could cause the water in your pipes to freeze. Since water expands when it freezes, this could damage your pipes.
As the water solidifies, it also pushes towards the closed faucet, causing water pressure to build up. This eventually causes the pipe to rupture. A burst pipe is very frustrating to deal with. There are many problems that come with an issue like this. To prevent problems like this from happening, read on to learn about the dangers of Lehighton PA frozen pipes and what you can do about it.
Risks Of Frozen Pipes
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The pipes that are most at risk of freezing and bursting are those that are outside of the building’s insulation and in areas that do not have heat. Attics, crawlspaces and basements are the areas that are most at risk.
Beside the issue of a frozen or burst pipe…
there is also the danger of mold formation. Water from a broken pipe causes damage to your home’s structure that leads to the development of mold. This can seriously impact your indoor air quality and cause allergies and other illnesses. This is particularly dangerous for those who suffer from asthma. Cleaning up a ruptured pipe exposes your family members to toxins such as asbestos or paint lead. So, it’s important to use preventative measures to avoid ice from forming in your pipes. The time to do it is worth it since frozen pipe problems are far worse than preventing them in the first place.
How Your Plumber Can Help With Frozen Pipes
One of the best ways to prevent ice formation in your pipes is to use proper insulation. A plumber with experience will know how to correctly install the right type of insulation for different kinds of pipes. Sometimes an air leak may cause the pipes to freeze. This is typically around the entry points. A plumber can ensure that the entry points are airtight by using foam or caulking. In some cases, a plumber will use foam or caulking with insulation directly inside the pipe cavity.
Areas With No Heat
Pipe insulation is especially useful in spaces…
that do not get heat. Your plumber can find all of the pipes and their entry points around your home. Sometimes an uninsulated pipe is in an unexpected place, such as near an outdoor sprinkler system in your yard. Also, cabinets sometimes have pipes with no insulation underneath them.
Older Homes
In some older homes, the pipes are sometimes in locations that you may never suspect. Construction planning is very different than it was in the past. For this reason, pipes in improper locations freeze more easily since they are exposed to the elements in the winter season. For these types of situations, the homeowner has to constantly deal with unfreezing water pipes or a burst water pipe. Removing and relocating pipes that freeze regularly is a costly and extensive process. However, it is a necessary to permanently solve the problem, especially when all other measures do not work.
Larger Tubing
A plumber may also decide to use larger tubing…
as they hold larger volumes of water and do not freeze as easily. Smaller, thinner pipes are likely to freeze faster, particularly when the water isn’t actively flowing. By using a professional plumber, the installation process is seamless and helps prevent future complications. Homeowners should not attempt to do a project like this as only a professional should handle a project like this.
Frozen Pipes Lehighton PA
By knowing frozen pipes symptoms, you can prevent frozen pipes burst. If you have a burst pipe, you should immediately shut off the water main that leads to the pipe to reduce the pressure and minimize any flooding. Contact us immediately to assess the pipeline. Even if the pipe has not burst, you should still call a professional to know how to properly thaw frozen pipes, whether they are in a wall or underground.
At R.F. Ohl, our experienced and certified plumbers use a number of methods to help homeowners prevent pipes from freezing. If you have a pipe that has burst, call us as soon as possible before the damage escalates. We will repair the pipe and carry out a full assessment. This will help determine the appropriate methods to prevent the pipes from freezing or bursting in the future. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
Some of the areas we service include: Ashfield, Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Parryville, and these zip codes: 18212, 18229, 18235, 18244 as well as all surrounding areas in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania.
Contact us today or give us a call at (610) 377-1098 if you have any questions.