A dip in the temperature is a sign for many home and property owners across Orlando to start battening down the hatches. You dig out the winter wardrobe, winter mulch your garden beds, and winterize your swimming pool. But what most people don’t account for is their plumbing system.
Winter can be a really rough time for your plumbing system, and it’s made ten times worse when you don’t take the necessary precautions. The low temperature invites countless plumbing issues, such as shrinking seals and malfunctioning water heaters.
But the most common, annoying, and dangerous issue homeowners and businesses face during winter is frozen pipes. If left unchecked, frozen pipes can cause flooding, create electrical and fire hazards, and result in permanent structural damage to your property. The good news is that you can avoid all these problems through early intervention and preventative measures. If you’re dealing with frozen pipes, this post will tell you everything you need to know.
First thing’s first: frozen pipes don’t actually mean that the pipes themselves are frozen. When we say frozen pipes, we are referring to the water inside the pipe that has frozen due to the cold weather.
Hence, the problem isn’t your pipes but rather the water inside them that becomes solid in low temperatures.
Here’s why this is a problem: water is one of the few liquids that expands when it freezes. When this happens in an enclosed space, like pipes, the expanding water starts exerting pressure on the walls of the container.
This pressure keeps building over time until, eventually, the pipes begin to crack, leak, and even burst.
We just learned the science behind frozen pipes. But what are the factors that increase the risk of your pipes freezing over in winter? Here’s a quick rundown:
Frozen pipes are no joking matter. If you don’t deal with frozen pipes promptly, you might be looking at significant structural damage down the road. Not to mention the safety hazards and environmental damage.
Here are some more dangers of frozen pipes in winter:
Frozen pipes may seem harmless, but they can create a lot of grave issues. So, you need to be able to detect the problem before it turns worse.
Here are five tell-tale signs that your pipes may be frozen:
If you suspect that your pipes are frozen, it’s important to take action as soon as possible to prevent them from bursting.
Here are some steps you can take to unfreeze your pipes:
Sometimes, locating the frozen section isn’t as straightforward. Moreover, it’s really easy to overheat and damage your pipes if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Hence, it’s always better to call a professional to thaw your pipes.
Dealing with frozen or burst pipes can be a real thorn in the side. Hence, it’s better to take preventative measures and avoid frozen pipes in the first place. Here’s how:
Frozen pipes are a nuisance to home and business owners across Orlando. If a frozen or burst pipe has wreaked havoc on your property, it’s important to seek professional help right away. Luckily, Plumbing Services Orlando is here to help! Our team of skilled and experienced plumbers can safely and efficiently repair your frozen or burst pipes. With our competitive prices and fast turnaround times, your plumbing will be up and running in no time!
Don’t sit and wait for your frozen pipe problem to take a turn for the worse. Contact us today to handle all your winter plumbing emergencies.