When old man winter starts to blow, homeowners need to be aware of plumbing issues that may arise. In particularly cold and windy weather, sometimes pipes in uninsulated parts of the house can freeze up. When the water in the pipe turns to ice and expands, it can burst the pipe, and result in a water damage. If you your home is prone to burst pipes in winter, a Brooklyn Heights plumber has the following suggestions for keeping your pipes from freezing.
- Leave a faucet dripping. While we usually discourage wasting water, opening a faucet will relieve pressure and keep water moving through the pipe, which will prevent it from freezing completely. Just a slow drip will help, and you can catch the water in a bucket and use it for something else.
- Insulate pipes. There are foam products that are easy to slip over a pipe that will protect them, or heat tape that can be applied to the pipes in problem areas. Both are found at any home improvement store.
- Keep cabinet doors open underneath sinks. This will allow some of the heat from the house to gain access to pipes that might be on colder, outside walls.
- Turn the heat up a little. Those in the habit of turning down their heat at night might want to refrain from doing that during very cold nights. While it may cost you a little more in heating costs, it is very little compared to the clean-up associated with a burst pipe.
If you find yourself with a frozen pipe, it is important to know how to respond. If you can locate the source of the problem, you could try heating the area with gentle heat, such as a heating pad or a hair dryer. Never use a blowtorch or any other type of open flame. It is usually a good idea to call a licensed plumber to handle the situation. A Brooklyn Heights plumber like Aladdin Plumbing can get your water running again, and give you suggestions on how to protect your pipes in the future. Contact Aladdin Plumbing today.