Although the spring season is upon us, the freezing temperatures of winter continue to linger in Texas and throughout the United States. One of the most common winter plumbing issues which homeowners experience is frozen piping.
Water expands in volume when it freezes since the molecular structure of ice is different compared to water in liquid form. Therefore, frozen water takes up space in every nook and cranny of your plumbing.
Frozen pipes do not only result in the inconvenience of losing running water. If left untreated, frozen water inside your plumbing can lead to a pipe burst, which is extremely costly.
It’s just like leaving a can of soda in the freezer. When you leave it inside a freezing environment for too long, the can will explode.
Keep in mind, pipe bursts do not occur where ice has formed. Rather, the frozen portions of the pipe force pressure “downstream” between the ice blockage and faucet, where the pipes would rupture.
The following are several clues to determine if your pipes are frozen:
- There is frost on the pipe
- The outside temperature is 32°F at most
- When you turn on the faucet, nothing comes out
- After flushing the toilet, the bowl doesn’t refill
- Pipes are bulging due to excess pressure
- Strange smells coming from your drain or faucet
Frozen Pipes Causing Despair? Leave the Job Up to Texas Plumbing Repair 24/7!
If your pipes are frozen, do not attempt to use a space heater to thaw them out. If done incorrectly, water can seep out from the cracks in the piping. Additionally, using an open flame can cause a fire or electric shock.
The best way to correctly and quickly take care of the issue is by calling a professional plumber. At Texas Plumbing Repair 24/7, our Fort Worth plumbers have the training and experiencing handling a wide range of plumbing issues and possess the tools to get the job done while protecting your home. We could also provide several tips to help you prevent frozen pipes in the future.
Contact us and schedule an appointment today. We are available 24/7 in the event of an emergency.