Frozen pipes are, unfortunately, a part of life when you live in Denver. But, they don’t have to be. The thing is, when they do occur they can cause a fair amount of damage, since as the water freezes, it expands and puts pressure on the walls of the pipes.
As you might imagine, this can cause your pipes to crack or even rupture, resulting in not only leaks but potentially burst plumbing and considerable water damage. If this does happen, you can trust a local plumber in Denver, CO, like the ones on our team, to resolve the issue. But we’d like to help you avoid this all together with some tips on preventing frozen pipes from the beginning.
The pipes on your property the most vulnerable to freezing are, naturally, going to be the ones outside. If you have any outdoor faucets that you usually need for sprinklers and hoses during the warmer months, be sure to turn the water flow off, drain any water that’s left, and leave the faucets open. You may also want to get some insulated caps for your hose and faucet openings.
Disconnect any hoses that you were using outdoors during the summer, before temperatures drop too low. Ensure that like your outdoor faucets, you drain them of any excess water.
What about those pipes in your home that are susceptible to freezing temperatures, but have to remain in use? You can’t, after all, just open the faucets and shut off the water supply. For instance, how about your pipes that are under the sink, in a garage, or in basements?
To adequately protect these particular pipes from freezing, the best thing you can do is invest in some affordable insulating sleeves that you can get from your nearest hardware store. This helps keep the temperature of the water in the pipes from dropping too low. You can accomplish this with towels, too, if you’d rather go this way. The most important factor here is that you try to keep these pipes as warm and insulated as possible.
“What?” you may be wondering. Thing about it though—plumbing fixtures in bathroom and kitchens are often under sinks, and run behind the walls that lead outdoors. This means they are exposed to potentially freezing temperatures just like your outdoor pipes. But if you leave the cabinets where these pipes are located open, the warmth from your heater can reach them and prevent them from freezing.
What if you take the proper steps we outlined above, and your pipes freeze anyway? First off, we do not advise that you try to thaw them on your own. This can cause them to burst, resulting in extensive water damage and potentially even injury. The best thing you can do if you notice or suspect frozen pipes is to contact the pros to inspect the situation, and then we can take the appropriate steps to remedy the situation.
We’re ready to answer your questions or schedule your appointment, call now or book online!
