Roger The Plumber Offers Tips for Maintaining A Residential Plumbing System During Freezing Weather

    LENEXA, KS, January 26, 2021 /24-7PressRelease/ -- General Manager Mike Paredez says, "Over the past few weeks we saw temperatures dip below freezing and go back up again. During that time, we received numerous calls from customers in the metro area requesting service for frozen or burst pipes." In light of this increase in calls for plumbing service and "With a few more months of winter still ahead of us, we'd like to remind homeowners of a few things they can do to keep their plumbing pipes from freezing and bursting."

When temperatures plummet, plumbing pipes are suddenly in danger of freezing and bursting. In fact, burst pipes are one of the most common causes of property damage during frigid weather and can cause thousands in water damage — easily $5,000 or more, according to the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety.

The pipes at greatest risk of freezing and bursting are located in unheated interior spaces, such as basements, attics, and garages. But even pipes running through cabinets or exterior walls can freeze. The good news is there are a few simple things homeowners can do to keep the water running and prevent water damage.

According to Paredez, "Some of the steps experts recommend may go against your better instincts of conserving water and heat, but the extra expense is nothing compared with a hefty repair bill."

Homeowners should take the following steps to protect their plumbing system during freezing temperatures:

– Keep garage doors closed, especially if there are water supply lines in the garage.
– Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing, especially if the sinks are attached to an exterior wall. (Homeowners with small children should move all harmful cleaners and household chemicals out of little ones' reach.)
– Let the cold water drip from a faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe — even at a trickle — can help prevent pipes from freezing.
– Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature during the day and night. Avoid setting back the thermostat at night to save a few dollars on the heating bill.
– Before heading out of town, set the thermostat to a temperature no lower than 55° F.

For long term plumbing pipe protection, Paredez recommends adding insulation to attics, basements, and crawl spaces; this will help retain heat in those areas. To prevent drafts, homeowners should seal cracks and openings around windows, doors, and at sill plates, which is where the house rests on its foundation.

"If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out," says Paredez, "you may have a frozen pipe. If you suspect the pipes are frozen, be careful when thawing them out because if the pipe has already burst, the water will come flowing out and flood your home."

If a pipe has broken, homeowners should turn off the water at the main shutoff valve, which is usually located at the water meter or where the main line enters the house. If the water is still running and no pipes have burst, homeowners should take the following steps:

1. Turn on the faucet. As the frozen pipe begins to thaw and the ice plug begins to melt, it's important to let the water flow through. Running water through the pipe, regardless of how cold it is, will help melt ice in the pipe.
2. Apply heat to the frozen section of the pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, or a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. As tempting as it may be, do not use a blowtorch, a kerosene or propane heater, a charcoal stove, or any device with an open flame; the high heat can damage the pipes and even start a fire.
3. Apply heat until proper water pressure is restored.
4. Check all other faucets in the home for signs they may be frozen. If one pipe is frozen, others may be frozen as well.

Homeowners should call a licensed plumber for professional service if they are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if they are unable to thaw the pipe themselves.

To learn more about Roger The Plumber, visit https://rogerthatkc.com/.

Roger The Plumber provides environmentally conscious residential plumbing and HVAC service, repair, and installation, as well as whole home central water filtration within the Kansas City area markets. Our licensed technicians are available all hours of the day, seven days a week. With an expansive knowledge of home maintenance, we provide the highest level of service for the best value.

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