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Many homeowners face an unfortunate but common occurrence in the winter: frozen pipes that force them to call a plumber. Wild West Plumbing, Heating & Drain Service, with locations throughout Montana’s Flathead Valley, knows this situation is not only frustrating but potentially catastrophic if a frozen pipe breaks and causes extensive water damage. They offer 24/7 emergency plumber service to thaw your water pipes and will offer advice to keep them from freezing.

Wrap exposed pipes in unheated areas such as crawl spaces, attics, garages, and basements. Pipe insulation can be found at any local hardware store, and it’s an easy do-it-yourself project. All you need to do is measure the preformed insulation against the pipe you plan to insulate, cut it to fit, pull it apart at the seam, and wrap it around the fixture.

Frozen pipe Kalispell MTIt’s also important to protect outdoor water fixtures from cold weather. Disconnect hoses from outdoor spigots to keep water inside the hose from freezing and causing damage. To insulate the spigot, cover it with a manufactured styrofoam cover that can be purchased at a hardware store. If there’s exposed pipes outside your home, wrap them with the insulating foam you used on your interior pipes.

If you still experience frozen pipes, turn off your water immediately. Apply heat to the frozen pipe indirectly with a hair dryer or space heater, but never use an open flame. Once the pipe thaws, turn on the water slowly and check it for cracks and leaks.

Freezing can create cracks in pipes and joints that are hard to detect, so you may want to play it safe and call a plumber. Wild West Plumbing, Heating & Drain Service can handle any emergency, from frozen pipes to toilet repair. Call (406) 752-1244 to make an appointment, and visit the company’s website for more information about their services.

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