The cold season is upon us, which means it’s that time of year when some homes experience frozen water pipes that can end up costing thousands of dollars in damages and repairs.
We want to help you avoid these costly damages by ensuring that you understand what causes frozen water pipes and providing steps that you can take to prevent this from happening. We will also tell you a few things you can do to contain water damage if a frozen pipe bursts in your home.
What Causes Frozen Water Pipes?
Experts say that freezing in water pipes occurs when temperatures in the home go below 20 degrees for more than 3 hours. Such conditions are enough to cause freezing in most water supply and drain pipes made of plastic or metal. Once the freezing occurs, ice in the pipes exerts pressure on the water inside, which does not compress (according to the law of hydraulics). The result is usually ruptured pipes.
Ruptured pipes can cause all kinds of disasters, including serious water damage. Water from the pipes will end up in your home, soaking your floors and walls and potentially damaging your valuables.
Preventing Frozen Pipes
There are several steps you can take to prevent frozen pipes in your home. Of course, it all starts with keeping the home warm in the cold season. Make sure all doors and windows are shut and sealed, cover and insulate all exterior faucets and ensure that all exposed plumbing in the garage, attics, outside buildings and crawlspaces are sealed.
In addition to that:
Steps to Follow if Freezing Occurs
If you turn on the faucet and water doesn’t come out or the pressure is suspiciously low, the pipes might be frozen, but not yet ruptured. In that case:
If a frozen pipe bursts:
Contact Us
If you suspect frozen pipes in your home or are already experiencing water damage, call us right away at 918-461-1280. We serve Bixby, Broken Arrow, Claremore, Jenks, Owasso, Sand Springs and Tulsa. Our phone lines are open 24/7.