Burst pipes always spell trouble. They cause a huge leak that will surely make your water bill rocket to the sky. The hundreds of gallons of water that are released by burst pipes can cause structural damage to your home. One of the common reasons why pipes burst is freezing. Since water expands when it freezes, the pipes expand and burst. It’s like what happens to a bottle of water that’s left in the freezer. When ice builds up inside a pipe, pressure builds up between it and the faucet. This causes the weakest part of the pipe to burst. We have listed here a couple of tried and tested tips to prevent frozen pipes in Cicero. Read these tips and save your pipes from bursting.
Prevent Frozen Pipes in Cicero
Prevention is the best move you can make to save your pipes from bursting. Below are four tips that are worth remembering when it comes to frozen pipes:
- Insulate your pipes especially those that are close to the exterior walls or the floors in your basement. Don’t go shy on the wrapping because the thicker you wrap, the more protected the pipes are. If you’re not sure if you’re wrapping the pipes enough, you can always ask the help of a professional plumber in your area.
- It is important to keep the pipes in room temperature at least. Seal any openings that will lead cold air next to your pipes. Cover vents that could let cold air into your home.
- Turn off the outdoor faucets in your property. It would not be a pretty sight if the pipe running between the outdoor faucet and the inner pipes freeze and burst. Also, do not forget to close the water source from outside your home and open the indoor faucets to drain all remaining water.
- Keep your heater on. Shutting it down will not be good for the pipes in your basement. There’s a proactive heating maintenance that you can buy. This will keep your water flowing well all winter. Be sure to keep your basement warm at all times.
What to Do When a Pipe Freezes
When all your efforts have failed and your pipe still freezes, stay calm. A frozen pipe in Chicago doesn’t mean that it will automatically burst.
If the pipe has already burst, cut off the water source by shutting off the main valve.
Try locating the part of the pipe that has frozen. You will know it by touching the pipe. It will be colder than the rest. There may be more than one location, too. Then, open the faucet that is closest to the frozen section. This will let water out when the ice melts.
Warm the frozen pipe with a hairdryer. A word of warning though, make sure that the ground you are stepping on is not flooded or wet. Inspect the pipe and, if there are no cracks, you can turn the main water valve on.
If you’re not really confident in doing this, you can always call a licensed Chicago plumber from Plumbers 911. Call (855) 484-3911 to ask for a free quote and to schedule an appointment.
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