Winter is here. That means falling temperatures and the possibility of water freezing in your pipes, which can lead to a lot of problems. Discover why pipes freeze, the problem with frozen pipes and what you need to do immediately if your pipes freeze

Why are Frozen Pipes So Dangerous?

Frozen pipes can cause several issues for a homeowner. Besides the obvious problem of the ice preventing the flow of water through the pipe, it is possible for it to cause your pipes to burst. If this happens, it will end up costing you thousands of dollars to repair. 

Everyone knows when water becomes ice, it expands. When this happens inside an enclosed space, like a pipe, it puts added pressure on the walls of the container. Once the pressure becomes too strong, the structure of the walls will fail and cracks will form. 

What Should You Do if Your Pipes Freeze?

The best thing you can do is avoid your pipes from freezing in the first place. You can do this by keeping your pipes free of standing water and insulating them well. But, once your pipes freeze you need to act quickly. If you notice that your pipes are frozen, there are several steps you should take to prevent more serious damage from occurring.

1. Turn off the water supply. This will stop any new water from entering the pipe and adding to the problem. If you suspect the problem is happening between the main water supply and your home, you should shut off the water for your entire home. 
2. Open faucets to provide a way for melting water to escape from the pipe instead of just refreezing. 
3. Call a plumber. 

What Will a Plumber Do? 

Frozen water in your pipes is serious and the best way to address the problem is with the help of a professional plumber. Once a plumber arrives at your home, the first thing they will determine is whether or not the pipe is broken. If there is a break in the pipe, they will need to plug up the leak and replace the entire section of pipe before thawing the rest of the pipe. But if the pipes are fine, your plumber can begin to slowly and carefully thaw the pipes. 

There are several methods of thawing a frozen pipe, but all of them may cause a pipe to crack if the plumber is not careful. This is the reason why you should never attempt to thaw your own pipes. 

After thawing your pipes, ask the plumber to add additional insulation to your pipes to prevent them from freezing again.

Do you suspect you have frozen pipes or do you want to prevent them from freezing this winter? Talk to a plumbing expert at Amanda Plumbing Sewer & Drain in Delaware, Ohio. For close to 25 years, this family-owned business has been providing customers in the surrounding area with quality plumbing services. Call 740-369-5161 for a home inspection to prevent frozen pipes.