Winters can be particularly problematic for household plumbing. Among the most common issues encountered is frozen pipes.
The whole plumbing system will be in jeopardy when the pipes freeze. Water will not be able to flow where they should. The toilet will not be able to flush, and the water heater will not have anything to heat up if this happens. Even the showers and the faucets will dry up because of this unfortunate situation. Mainly, things that you took for granted are taken away.
Aside from the inconvenience, frozen pipes also pose the threat of water damage. We all know that water increases in volume as it turns to ice. As it expands inside the pipes, the shell can crack and eventually burst from the pressure.
Homeowners should make it a point to prevent pipes from freezing over throughout the winter as this can strike at any time.
Table of Contents:
- Steps To Prevent Frozen Pipes & Frozen Pipe Repair Somerville NJ
- Keep The Kitchen Cabinets & Bathroom Doors Open
- Allow The Faucets To Drip During A Cold Snap
- Be Sure To Shut The Garage Doors
- Try To Maintain A Constant Temperature Day & Night
- Improve Insulation In Vulnerable Areas
- Keep The Thermostat At 55 F If The House Is Empty
Steps To Prevent Frozen Pipes & Frozen Pipe Repair Somerville NJ
Keep The Kitchen Cabinets & Bathroom Doors Open
These areas of the house typically hide a great deal of plumbing. By opening them up, the hot air circulating in the room will reach the pipes and warm them up. Opening cabinets will help prevent your water pipes from getting too cold. If you are not keen on exposing the materials stored in there, then place them elsewhere. Cleaners and other chemicals, for instance, can be a hazard to the kids. Put them somewhere that is out of reach.
Allow The Faucets To Drip During A Cold Snap
One of the best methods of prevention is simply letting the faucets drip. Normally, this would be frowned upon as it is deemed wasteful. However, cracked or burst pipes due to freezing are likely to cause worse wastage due to leaks. Open the cold water faucets and let water trickle down. Keep it going to ensure continuous movement through the pipes.
Be Sure To Shut The Garage Doors
Pipes often run through the garage. If this is the case in your house, then make it a point to close the doors unless there is a compelling reason to do otherwise. Lower the doors as soon as your car crosses the threshold. Leaving it open will only invite the cold outside air inside the space.
Try To Maintain A Constant Temperature Day & Night
A lot of households have made it a habit of putting the thermostat on mild settings during the night, relying more on their beddings to keep them warm. Doing so is undoubtedly useful for reducing heating bills, but it is not as desirable for the plumbing. Outside temperatures drop at their lowest as we sleep. Consider maintaining a constant temperature day and night.
Improve Insulation In Vulnerable Areas
Certain areas in the household house much of the pipes including crawl spaces, attics, and basements. Try to keep a high enough temperature around these parts to avoid freezing. Note that any cracks or weakness in the insulation can lead to problems later on. Seal all openings and improve insulation for peace of mind.
Keep The Thermostat At 55 F If The House Is Empty
Many will make the most of the holidays and winter by going out of town. Before you go on a vacation, make sure that everything is primed to prevent frozen pipes. You would not want to return to a home that has succumbed to water damage. Perhaps the best thing that you can do is to set the heater at 55 degrees Fahrenheit or thereabouts. This temperature setting is what experts recommend as the ideal temperature for freeze prevention.
If your pipes keep bursting due to ice, then consider whether there is a design flaw that must be addressed. Replacing the damaged area is only a short-term solution if this is the case. The job should be entrusted to experienced plumbers as they can design and install plumbing systems the right way.
If you discover frozen pipes in your property, then look for a highly skilled and experienced plumber to fix the problem. Do not be tempted to do it all yourself as you may end up making the problem worse. Plumbers can get to the root cause and devise a permanent solution.
Conclusion
There is no better time than now to make preparations for winter. If you need help with the plumbing, then be sure to call a trusted name in your area.
Skylands Energy is one of the leading local providers of residential plumbing. Expect efficient and dependable services from our team of licensed plumbers. Our goal is to give you high-quality solutions at affordable rates. Give Skylands Energy a call to discuss your plumbing needs and get free estimates.
Some of the areas we service include Bridgewater, Hillsborough, Raritan, Somerville, and these zip codes: 08807, 08844, 08869, 08876 as well as all surrounding areas in central New Jersey.
Contact us now at (908) 707-1776 to find out more!
The post Frozen Pipe Prevention Tips appeared first on Skylands Energy.
from Skylands Energy https://skylandsenergy.com/plumbing/frozen-pipe-repair-somerville-nj/
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