Winters in Colorado can be extreme, especially when you have to contend with frozen pipes. While most pipes and water
supply lines that freeze do so because they are exposed to outdoor elements, even interior pipes can freeze and burst during a brutal cold snap. Burst pipes can do thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to a home during the winter, so you want to make sure that you keep your pipes from freezing.
Keeping Your Pipes From Freezing
Naturally, the best way to avoid damage from frozen pipes is to keep them from freezing in the first place. Fortunately, this is easier than you might think. First, locate the pipes in your home that are the most vulnerable to freezing. These are usually exposed pipes in unheated spaces such as your basement, your garage, or your attic. Then keep these pipes warm when temperatures drop below freezing. The easiest way to do this is to wrap them in pipe insulation, which can be purchased from most hardware stores. If you can’t make it to a store, wrapping your pipes in thick towels or blankets should do the trick.
Another way to keep your pipes from freezing is to protect them from cold air as much as possible. Keep your garage door closed at all times, open up the cabinets underneath your sinks to keep warm air circulating through them, and keep your thermostat set at a consistent temperature. If you have to leave your home for an extended period of time, your thermostat should be set no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit, although keeping it between 60 and 65 degrees is best.
What to Do If Your Pipes Freeze
If you turn on a faucet and only see a trickle of water, your pipes may have frozen and will need to be thawed out. If you suspect that you have a burst pipe, shut off your water before you do anything else; the last thing you want is to have water pouring through a broken pipe once everything has thawed. If you don’t have a burst pipe, turn on your faucets and allow a trickle of water to go through the pipes. It may not be much, but even that little bit of water moving through your pipes will help them to thaw. Make sure to monitor the faucets you leave on so no flooding takes place.
When to Contact a Professional for Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes can cause a lot of problems in your home, and you don’t want to risk making things worse if you aren’t comfortable fixing things yourself. If there is any doubt in your mind that you can thaw frozen pipes on your own, contact us at Dan’s Drains and Digs. We specialize in drain cleaning and repairing water supply lines, and we will be more than happy to help you with your frozen pipes. Contact us today or visit us online for more information about our services.
