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How To Identify Frozen Pipes Before They Flood Your Home
Winter brings a lot of weather hazards that can threaten your home. One of the most common Wisconsin homeowners face is frozen water pipes. When water pipes freeze, it puts pressure on the pipe. This pressure builds until it releases. Oftentimes, the release of that pressure can cause the pipe to burst, leading to costly flooding in your home. Identifying a freezing pipe before it bursts is one of the best ways to prevent this flooding. Here is how to spot a frozen pipe.
Four Signs That You May Have Frozen Pipes
If you are concerned about your pipes freezing, here are four signs to look out for:
1. The Temperature Is Freezing
Pipes will only freeze when the outside temperature is very cold. Pipes are at risk of freezing starting at 32°F. However, they tend to freeze more in temperatures below zero. In cases where the temperature drops below zero, you will want to make a plan to prevent your pipes from freezing.
2. No Water Coming From The Faucet
Ice can cause blockages in the pipes. So one of the biggest tells of frozen pipes is a lack of water coming from your faucet. Another sign is that the water pressure is very low. In some cases, there will only be as few drops of water.
3. Odd Smell Coming From Your Faucet
When a pipe is blocked, the only way for odors to get through is out the faucet or up the drain. If you notice a strange smell, there may be ice blocking your pipes. The most common smells are that of sewer or rotten eggs, but the smell may take on a unique odor.
3. Frost On Your Pipe
Most of the time our pipes are hidden in the walls and flooring. However, if you can access your pipes easily, visually inspect them. If there is frost on the outside of the pipes, they are likely frozen.
Why Early Identification Matters
When it comes to freezing pipes, the sooner you can identify the problem the better. With early identification, you can work to unfreeze the pipes before they burst.
Here’s what to do if your pipes are frozen
1. Turn on the faucet and let the water run (or drip if the pipe is blocked).
2. Gently apply a warm compress or use a hair dryer to warm up the frozen section of the pipe.
3. Check the water pressure, if it is restored you have stopped your pipe from freezing. If not, then apply more heat until the water runs smoothly.
Then you will want to leave your faucets on to a slight drip to prevent further freezing.
Call Emergency Restoration Specialists For Help
Unfortunately, we can’t always get to frozen pipes before they burst. When that happens, you will need to call a professional water damage restoration team. Burst pipes can cause a lot of flood damage very quickly. A professional team will help clean up the flooding, repair any water damage, and restore your home to full functionality.