It’s that time of year in Chicago and making sure that your pipes don’t freeze is a great opportunity to save a significant amount of money in damage and repairs. Take a minute to read the following tips to be sure that your home is safe.
Why Pipe Freezing Is a Problem
Water has a unique property in that it expands as it freezes. The expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes. No matter the “strength” of a container, expanding water can cause pipes to break. Pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages or kitchen cabinets. Also, pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing.
Preventing Frozen Pipes
With the onset of cold weather, help prevent freezing of water supply lines and pipes by following some simple recommendations:
• 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.
• Locate your home’s water shut-off valve and ensure it works, before it’s ever needed in an emergency.
• Open sink cabinet doors in kitchens and bathrooms to allow more heat to reach pipes underneath, particularly if the sink is located along an exterior wall.
• Let the water run if the temperature dips below freezing. (A stream slightly smaller than a pencil width should be sufficient.) Faucet farthest from the street should be the ones left running. Using cold water will save your gas or electric bill.
• Disconnect garden hoses from roof decks and front door spigots and shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. • Eliminate drafts. Check around the home for areas where water supply lines are located in unheated areas and take measures to prevent the flow of cold air in these areas. Both hot and cold water pipes in these areas should be insulated. A hot water supply line can freeze just as a cold water supply line can if water is not running through the pipe and the water temperature becomes cold.
• If you will be away from home or your home is vacant, keep the thermostat at a reasonable temperature to make sure all areas with water pipes are kept above freezing.
To Thaw Frozen Pipes
If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe
. Locate the suspected frozen area of the water pipe. Likely places include pipes running against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home.
• If a water pipe freezes, never try to thaw it with an open flame or torch. You can use a hair dryer or portable heater, but always be careful of the potential for electric shock in an around standing water.
• If a pipe freezes, completely open the cold water faucet nearest the frozen pipe. This will relieve the pressure and reduce the chance of breakage.
• Running water through the pipe will help melt more ice in the pipe.
• Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible or if you can not thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
• Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.
Source – Capstone Properties
