Dealing With Frozen Pipes

Plumbing problems are no fun for anyone ... but when you mix freezing weather with frozen pipes, it can be disastrous an lead to unwanted situations like a burst pipe.

Frozen plumbing systems can happen because of various reasons including weather, not enough insulation and more. This is a complex and difficult thing to fix, the easier thing to do is to prevent the frozen pipes altogether.

Causes of Frozen Pipes

The leading cause of frozen plumbing systems is a combination of low insulation and freezing temperatures. The lower the temperature outside, the more likely the plumbing system will freeze. If the house has mediocre insulation, then the chances of having pipes freeze is greatly increased.

This is very common in trailer houses that have only a thin amount of skirting that is meant to keep weather out from under the house. Even older houses that have insulation that has settled or has a lower R-factor also have a higher risk for frozen pipes since the pipes have a difficult time staying at an ideal temperature.

Power failure is another cause of frozen pipes. One of the most common reasons for a power outage is weather. When there is a strong storm with heavy winds and freezing temperatures, there is a high possibility that the power will go out. If the only source of heat is a furnace, then the pipes will also get cold and could freeze. For homes with a wood stove as a heat source, this cause is unlikely since wood stoves do not require electricity to maintain heat.

Fixing Frozen Pipes

Repairing plumbing systems that have been frozen can be costly and time-consuming. The only way to effectively fix this issue is to have a licensed plumber come to the home and repair the frozen pipes. They have specialized tools that will not only thaw the pipes but they will also check to ensure that there are no other problem areas. Once the plumber gets to the home, the water will be back on in no time.

Preventing Frozen Plumbing Systems

The ideal thing to do is to prevent the pipes from freezing. This ensures that no matter what Mother Nature throws at you, the pipes will keep on running. Your plumber can come and easily wrap your pipes in heat tape or recommend better insulation in your home to make sure that your pipes are ready for winter. It is important to keep your pipes from freezing to save you time and money as well as the headaches that frozen pipes cause to homeowners every winter.

Is the cold Nashville winter making you think about the security of your plumbing system? Call Green Hills Plumbing today at (615) 866-1917 for top quality frozen pipe services.