Frozen Water Pipes Cause Immeasurable Damage In These Cold Climates

Frozen water pipes are a huge issue in all types of climates and can affect a quarter-million homes every winter. Surprisingly, it can happen in homes that have either plastic and copper pipes. It’s very common even though there are several ways to prevent it. Since water has a unique property and expands as it freezes, this puts intense pressure on whatever is accommodating it. No matter the strength of the pipes, expanding water can cause them to burst. 

Pipes can literally freeze overnight and the lower the temperature outside and the more unprotected the pipes are, the more likely the pipes are to freeze.

There are several ways to prevent this from happening. One of them being to insulate the pipes even if you live in an area where freezing is not very common. The more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes will be. In addition, heat tape can be used to wrap the pipes. Other things you can do before winter hits is to disconnect garden hoses or use an indoor valve to shut off and drain the water pipes. A small trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. 

In the event your pipes do freeze, you should keep the faucet open. As the frozen area begins to melt, water will flow and will help to melt the ice. You can also apply heat to the frozen area by using an electric heating pad, a hair dryer, or towels soaked in hot water. Though there are many options to “unfreeze” your pipes, calling a professional is always the best option to prevent any damage.

If you are currently experiencing frozen or burst pipes, please contact us at