Anyone who lives anywhere in the Northern United States will know just how wicked winters can get, snow up to your neck and temperatures cold enough to freeze the pipes in your home. Being well prepared to face winter at its worst is all part of living in frigid climates, there are ways to prevent frozen pipes in Glenview IL and if they do freeze, there are acceptable ways to thaw them.
What are frozen pipes a problem?
Water expands when it freezes, when this happens and the water is contained in a pipe, it places a great deal of pressure on the pipe. The pipes that freeze most often in any home are those that are exposed to the weather; outdoor hose bibs, supply lines to a swimming pool and supply lines for lawn sprinklers are all potential problems. The same is true for pipes that run inside but are located in areas which are unheated such as a basement or crawl space.
Preventing pipes from freezing:
You can prevent pipes from freezing by taking action before the onset of winter.
* Drain any water from supply lines to a pool or lawn sprinklers
* Outside hose bibs always have a valve located inside the house. Disconnect all hoses and close these valves, open the outside bib to ensure that all water is drained away. Leave the bib open, in this way any water that remains in the pipe can expand without breaking the pipe.
* Insulate any exposed water pipes in the basement, garage and crawl space.
Thawing frozen pipes:
If the pipe has burst then it will be necessary to call a plumber and have the pipe repaired or replaced. If your pipes freeze, open any taps or valves on the line and apply heat to the pipe. Never use an open flame, use a heating blanket, space hater or electric hair dryer. As the ice melts, water will run out of the open tap. If you have any difficulties, don’t hesitate to contact a plumber.
The best way to prevent frozen pipes in Glenview IL is to take action before the onset of winter. If a pipe does freeze and burst, call a plumber immediately. You are invited to call Reliance Plumbing Sewer & Drainage, Inc at any time, day or night.
