Did you know that an 8-inch crack in pipes can cause up to 250 gallons of water a day to spill? Pipes, when frozen, is an easy way for your pipes to crack, so it’s important to be vigilant.
In this article, you’ll learn the signs your pipes could be frozen. Read on to discover these signs before it’s too late and you have a messy disaster.
Pipes Frozen Problems
You might wonder why frozen pipes are so dangerous, but there are actually many reasons. They can not only be an inconvenience but cause potential damage to your property such as:
No Running Water
A major problem with frozen pipes is the lack of running water. This can stop you from taking a shower, washing the dishes, or even washing your hands.
Pipes Bursting
Another problem that can occur from frozen pipes is your pipes bursting. When the pipes freeze, pressure is created in the closed faucet leading to a blockage. The blockage then builds up and causes the pipes to explode.
Most at Risk
The pipes that are most at risk are exterior walls, attics, and basements. Water pipes that go along the exterior walls of your home can be more likely to freeze. They’re more likely to freeze since they’re exposed to exterior temperatures and don’t have enough insulation.
Pipes in your attics and basements have an increased chance of freezing due to the lack of heat. When they’re not used as living space they normally don’t have the proper insulation necessary.
Key Signs Your Pipes Are Frozen
Let’s take a look at some signs you need to know.
1. Cold Temperatures
Are you noticing colder than normal temperatures? It’s important to either apply heating tape, add insulation, or let the faucet drip.
2. Odd Smells
Do you notice an odd smell in your home? If you do, you’ll want to check your pipes. If a drain is blocked then the odor can escape by being backed up toward your property. It’s important to keep air flowing through any unheated rooms when the temperature outside is below freezing.
You can have airflow enter by keeping the door to that room open. You can also let your faucet drip slowly to ensure water is moving in your pipes. This can also prevent your pipes from freezing.
If you notice a frozen pipe has burst you’ll want to turn off the water at the main supply immediately. You can try to thaw the pipe yourself or call a specialist.
3. No Water
If the pipes are frozen that can halt your water supply. The water pressure might be affected or stopped completely in one or all of the faucets.
Cost Estimate
It’s difficult to give an exact quote of frozen pipes without seeing the situation. The location of the pipe and if it has burst will play a part in the price. If you can reach the blockage such as under your kitchen sink, you could thaw the blockage with hot rags or a hairdryer.
If the blockage is within the wall it could be a more expensive fix. You could need to cut open the sheetrock to get to the problem, or possibly hire a plumber to thaw out the problem.
If the pipes burst and are causing a flooding issue, that will more than likely be the most expensive situation. The burst pipe will need to be fixed and you’ll need to fix any damage that happened on your property.
Is It Covered by Insurance?
Remember, no matter the price you won’t want to let the situation go and get worse. As far as if insurance will cover it being fixed, it honestly depends on your insurance policy. Not every insurance covers damage from frozen pipes.
Contact your insurance agent to see the details about your policy. Some policies will have specific requirements to be covered. One requirement could be keeping the heat at a certain temperature in your home to prevent the pipes from freezing.
Insurance companies will want to make sure you took the proper preventative measures to avoid the frozen pipes. Certain policies could cover pipe repair but not flood damage. If your insurance does cover damage from a burst pipe, they often don’t cover replacing the section of the damaged pipe.
Preventative Tips
In order to prevent pipes from freezing, there are a few preventative measures you can take. The first way for preventing frozen pipes is even if you’ll be gone for an extended period of time, always keep the heat on in your home at least above 50 F.
Seal up any cracks around the holes that pipes run through. Use spray foam or caulk to fill the gaps. Try to seal the holes on both exterior and interior siding.
Apply heating tape such as an electric blanket for pipes to keep it warm during the winter months. The 2 types of heating tape are: one must be plugged in when heat is needed and unplugged when you’re not using it.
The other type turns on and off on its own when it senses heat is necessary. Another option is to add extra insulation. Basements and attics are locations that might need that extra insulation.
Signs Your Pipes Are Frozen
Are your pipes frozen? Act quickly and don’t delay. Keep in mind that frozen pipes can cause several other problems that are preventable. Do you currently have water damage?
Contact us today and we will make sure you’re in good hands. No water damage restoration is too small or big for us.
