The end of January, beginning of February is the coldest time of the year in the Bronx. When the temperature is low and the wind’s blowing, pipes can freeze. Having your pipes freeze is not great, but having your pipes burst is worse because the resulting mess can damage your home. Here’s what you need to know about frozen pipes.
Why do pipes freeze?
Technically, pipes don’t freeze. The water inside them does, and when water freezes, it expands. This expanding water can compromise the integrity of your pipes, especially if there’s any vulnerable points in your plumbing, including small leaks and hairline cracks. So if your pipes do freeze, it’s important to take steps to get them thawed out right away – before any lasting damage is done.
How to tell if your pipes are frozen
If no water comes out when you turn on the faucet, or only a tiny trickle of water appears, and it’s been cold, your pipes may be frozen. At this point, you want to call the best plumbing company in the Bronx to get them thawed.
If you’re looking for DIY ways to keep pipes from bursting while waiting for the plumber to arrive, here’s what you should know:
The water supply to your home will need to be shut off. If you know how to do this, and can do so safely, shut your water off. If you don’t know how to do this, let your Bronx plumbing company know – they may be able to talk you through the process while dispatching a team to your home.
The safest way to thaw pipes is to raise the temperature around the pipes. For example, if the bathroom was particularly cold, and that’s where the pipes froze, you want to raise the temperature in the bathroom. Turning up the thermostat can help the situation.
Never, ever use a torch or open flame to thaw frozen pipes. It’s an easy way to set your house on fire, and you don’t want to do that.
