Why Do Pipes Burst And How Can You Avoid

It’s a good idea to know what causes the pipes to freeze in your house, especially if you live in a cold region. Here in Texas it may not happen often, but we have been know to have some chilly nights that drop below freezing. You need to know how to handle the hazard before you are faced with it. Preventing the frozen dilemma is much less expensive versus the damage caused by the frozen water.

Water isn’t the only issue with a frozen pipe; the other issue is the pressure inside of the pipe. As water freezes, it takes up more space and pushes the water toward the faucet. The pipe will burst when the pressure builds between the faucet and the blockage.

The pressure isn’t great enough for the pipe to burst upstream or at the top of the pipe because the water can go back to its original source. However, when it freezes, you can also be faced with water in between the walls and flooring.

In the Texas area, if you have high water pressure, you can also have busted pipes. You need to take the same steps to check for those issues as well.

Here are a few ways to eliminate the problem:

Do A Visual Inspection: Before cold weather creeps upon you, check each space of your home from top to bottom. Check for areas where the windows might let cold air enter the home. Check around the outside of the home for any pipes that are exposed to the weather elements. Discover ways to conduct heat to those areas.

Check The Outside Faucet: Disconnect the water hose from the outside faucet because it can freeze which will break the hose attachment. You can also drain the line to remove any water left in the line. Shut off the water flow to the outside faucet if you know where it is located.

If you are unsure of where to shut off the water, you can also install a form faucet cover or frost-free hose bib, but it might require some general plumbing skills, soldering, and caulking.

Seal The Holes: Check around dryer vents, electrical wiring, and pipes for any gaps where cold air can enter the home. Use insulation or caulk to seal the spaces. Heat tape is also useful to help keep the pipes warm.

Let The Faucet Drip: During cold bouts, it is advisable to keep one or two of the faucets running slowly to save the line from freezing.

Use a Space Heater Or Heater Cable: On the upside, you can have someone install some heat trace cable to prevent the cold pipelines from freezing with the colder Your home’s pipes are in danger of freezing anytime temperatures drop below 32ºF. You have to move fast if a pipe bursts because, in one day’s time, you could lose enough water to take 335 full baths.

That’s a lot of water to waste. It is best to have a trained professional check your Leander home to diagnose if you need any plumbing repair taken care of before the pipes decide it is time to split!