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Winter can mean freezing temperatures and this can lead
to frozen pipes. When water freezes in pipes it expands
causing pipes to burst. Plumbing problems during the
winter abound; even if you live in a warmer climate it
can pose a problem at times. If you have had problems
with frozen pipes in the past, those same pipes are
obvious problem spots. Insulation alone won’t keep
most pipes from freezing.
One tactic that may help to keep pipes from freezing is
to keep a heat source near problem spots. One common
problem areas are bathroom pipes enclosed in vanities or
cabinets, leave the doors open during cold weather so
the heat from the room can penetrate the enclosures.
Another option is to buy pipe wraps that include
electrical heat coils imbedded in them. This works well
if you remember to plug them in when cold weather is
approaching, but there is always the problem of having
an interruption of power during a severe storm.
It takes more for running water to freeze. During severe
cold weather you may want to keep a stream of water
trickling out of faucets or spouts attached to
vulnerable pipes. This wastes water, but may be
preferable to a burst pipe.
If any of your pluming does freeze, try thawing it with
an electrical hair dryer. For your safety, be sure the
dryer is grounded and never hold the pipe while
operating an electrical appliance. To keep the pipe from
bursting it is important to turn off the valve leading
to the pipe. It is unnecessary to turn of the water to
the house, only the affected plumbing.
If at any point you are unsure of what to do to keep
your pipes from freezing call a professional plumbing
contractor for help. Preventing your pipes from bursting
is a better option that mopping up water for hours or
days.
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