Along with low temperatures comes the risk of frozen pipes. Not only is this issue inconvenient, but it can also cause quite a bit of damage to your plumbing system and home. The following guide explains what you can do when your pipes freeze as well as how to prevent it from occurring in the first place.

How to Prevent Freezing Pipes

Make sure pipes located in the basement, garage or within crawlspaces are insulated. Plumbing insulation can easily be fitted over pipes to prevent them from dropping below 32 degrees. Keeping your water running to a trickle can also help as the energy generated will keep the water above its freezing point. Lastly, if you have any pipes located in cabinets, especially those where plumbing is near an exterior wall such as kitchen sinks, keep the cabinet doors open slightly during winter. This will help the heat from your home to naturally flow into these areas and help increase the temperature in the cabinet.

How to Thaw Pipes

To preserve your plumbing system, you want to thaw pipes before they burst. This can be accomplished by using a hair dryer or keeping a space heater in the area until the pipe thaws.

You also want to take steps to prevent leaks which can occur when the pipe thaws. In this case, open faucets and flush toilets to drain water still in the pipes. You can also shut off the water supply to your home until the issue is remedied. If there is a leak, you’ll only need to deal with the frozen water and not the rest of the supply.

If your pipes are frozen, you may want to seek out plumbing services for the best results. Servicing Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Bigfork and Lakeside, Flo-Rite Plumbing, Inc. is happy to help you if your plumbing system suddenly stops functioning. This trusted team also offers routine maintenance to diagnose any issues and offer effective solutions. They repair and replace water heaters, deal with clogged drains and offer sewer routing service. If you’d like to schedule service at your home, call (406) 257-6897 today. You can also visit them online to see the complete listing of services offered.