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As Portland’s temperatures begin to drop, you may be concerned about your pipes freezing. This season, you can take some steps to prevent this from happening.
A frozen pipe can be a real nightmare. When water freezes, it expands and puts added pressure on your pipes. Even the strongest of materials can’t stand up to this kind of pressure. As a result, you’ll be left with a big plumbing problem and no water.
Some of your pipes are more exposed to the elements and are more likely to freeze this winter. These include:
- Pool supply lines
- Sprinkler lines
- Water supply pipes in unheated areas
- Pipes against uninsulated exterior walls
Before winter hits, you can prepare your home and prevent pipes from freezing. Any water remaining in your swimming pool supply line and water sprinkler supply line should be drained. In addition to removing your hoses from outdoor spigots, you should drain and store them.
You should also open outdoor hose bibs to give frozen water room to expand, keeping the indoor ones closed. Walk through your home and ensure that all hot and cold water supply pipes are protected from the cold. If they’re not, insulate them. For insulation materials, use newspapers, pipe sleeves, heat tape and other materials designed specifically for keeping pipes protected.
If you notice that a pipe has frozen, you should thaw it immediately. To do so, leave a faucet open and find the source of the problem. When you locate the pipe, use a heating pad, hair dryer or space heater to thaw the pipe. You can also wrap a towel drenched in hot water around the pipe. Eventually, the pipe will warm up and water will start flowing.
You may not be able to find the frozen pipe, or it may be inaccessible. If this is the case, you need to call a qualified technician immediately. Contact us for more information about heating and cooling your Portland home. Roth Home & Cooling combines experience with great services that meet your needs.
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