Frozen pipes are one of the most dangerous situations that may occur in your house. You may wonder why. A lot may go wrong with the water that will flood the room, water damage, mold and mildew, and a pipe that will need to be replaced. Here are some warning indications that one of your pipes is about to freeze.
When Do Pipes Freeze?
Pipes freeze when the temperature is below freezing. When water freezes, it expands and puts pressure on whatever is containing it. Pipes are most likely to freeze when the temperature outside dips below freezing for an extended period of time, like during a cold snap. This occurs most often in the wintertime.
Detecting A Frozen Pipe
We can usually detect a frozen pipe by feeling the pipes with our hands and noticing there are icicles forming on both sides of where they enter a wall or ceiling. It’s one of those few times you actually want to feel your way around the pipe, but if it really has frozen up, then you’ll need to call in professional help.
Warning Signs Of A Frozen Pipe
1) As Soon As The Temperature Begins To Drop
When the temperature outside isn’t low enough, pipes cannot freeze. All bets are off as the temperature dips below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (the freezing point of water). Keep an eye on the daily weather prediction and make sure the temperature does not drop below freezing. Keep an eye on the weather for the evening, since this is when temperatures are at their lowest.
2) Frost Starts To Form
Some pipes in your house are exposed, including those in the basement, garage, and beneath the kitchen and bathroom sinks. If there are any pipes that may be seen, go over to them and investigate them visually. If you see even the tiniest amount of frost collecting on them, it’s possible that the pipe has already started to freeze. Note: In order to avoid this issue, these pipes should be insulated.
3) The Severe Water Shortage
If you turn on any of your faucets and nothing comes out, congrats, your pipes are frozen! Once you’ve discovered that one of your pipes has frozen, you should inspect each faucet and fixture in your house to see which ones are in danger of breaking.
4) The Sink Begins To Odor
Is your sink emitting a noxious odor? This might indicate the presence of frozen water in the pipe. If the ice has fully blocked the pipe, the scents within can only travel one way: up the drain and into your house! This isn’t limited to frozen pipes; bad smells may also come from the drain if there are other forms of obstructions present (food, grease, etc.).
“How to prevent frozen pipes” is a question that many people ask. This post discusses ways to prevent your pipes from freezing, including actions to take before the problem becomes worse.
A frozen pipe may cause a rupture, flooding your property, causing a slew of other problems, and leaving you with a heavy heart.
Frozen pipes are not your only potential plumbing issue. Your water bill could be high due to leaking pipes. Find out what you can do about it in Water Bill Sticker Shock: Where Your Home Could Be Leaking Money.
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