Take Steps Now to Prevent Your Pipes From Freezing This Winter

12/9/2019 (Permalink)

Use heat tape on pipes that are located in unheated crawlspaces or in the ceiling

Your home in North Des Plaines,IL is a cozy and safe haven from the world where you and your family can enjoy warmth and security in spite of the frosty winter. What happens, however when that icy outdoors invites itself inside and causes frozen pipes, possibly even causing a burst pipe? Putting some pipe freeze prevention measures in place can save you the grief of a flooded home.

5 Pipe Freeze Prevention Tips

Icy walls and cold temperatures can cause pipes to burst and flood your home. Luckily, there are some things you can do to prevent most of them from happening. Here are a few ideas that may help

Wrap your pipes and fittings with pool float tubes split lengthwise to insulate them
Use heat tape on pipes that are located in unheated crawlspaces or in the ceiling
Open cabinets that house plumbing to allow room heat in
During frigid temperatures, turn your faucets to a fast drip or slow stream to keep pipes open
Make sure to disconnect hoses from any outdoor faucets and insulate them on the inside

Thawing Frozen Pipes
If you do get frozen pipes, you should never use a blow torch or fast thawing method as it could suddenly erupt and send water flooding through the basement. You should shut off your water supply, turn the faucets on. Place a gently heat source such as a space heater or infrared lamp close to the wall where the blockage is located. You can also turn the heat up in the house to slowly thaw the pipes.
Waiting too long to employ pipe freeze prevention tactics could result in a burst pipe, leaving you with damaged floors and carpets. When the water is from a clean source such as a water supply, then carpets may be saved. If the cleanup is more than you can handle, you’ll need to call a professional water remediation service in North Des Plaines,IL to help with cleaning and restoration. Your best bet is to take a proactive stance and protect your home before cold weather hits.