Unexpected Winter Weather and Plumbing Pipes

Sometimes, when homeowners think about DIY projects or prevention techniques, the people around respond with “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid!” The same way Santa replied to the boy in A Christmas Story. Well, have no fear; Pipes and Plugs is here to provide you with quality tips and tricks to keep our residential and commercial clients in New Iberia and Lafayette, LA customers happy all winter long. This week, we’re going to talk about frozen pipes, the damage they can cause, and how to prevent it.

We know that during the winters here it is rare for temperatures to drop to freezing and below. But I think you would agree with me that the weather has been a little strange all over the country. We have seen more snowstorms and freezing temperatures in the south, so it is important to be prepared just in case. Any pipes or fixtures that are exposed to freezing temperatures are at risk for ruptures, leaks, and other plumbing problems. And because we don’t see freezing temperatures often in the south we don’t prepare our homes. So when unexpected freezing temperatures do hit in the south…plumbers end up getting a lot of calls. So it is important to just take some basic precautions so you can rest easy regardless of what nature decides to do.

The most important thing you can do is to identify exposed pipes. You can find exposed plumbing in areas all around your home including pipes that are connected to an exterior wall, outdoor faucets, crawl spaces, attics, etc. If you see any exposed pipes, you can buy insulation tubes to cover the pipes and reduce the risk of freezing. On the other hand, if you see exposed fixtures like outdoor faucets or irrigation systems, you should be sure to turn off the main water supply, disconnect all hoses, and drain the faucet and hose. Draining the water out of the pipes will significantly reduce the potential for frozen pipes.

Frozen pipes are a problem because water will freeze in parts of the pipe. When water from other areas attempts to flow through, the frozen water has expanded and sealed the pipe. This means the incoming water has nowhere to go and builds up in the pipe and increases the pressure in your pipes. When too much pressure builds up, the pipe can’t withstand the stress and breaks. When that happens, all that water will pour into your home. Consequently, it’s important to know where your property’s main water shut-off valve is located. Turning this off in the case of a frozen pipe will significantly reduce the damage caused to your property.

As always, if you are unsure, have questions, or would like more information, please give us a call. The friendly plumbers at Pipes and Plugs are here to help ensure your residential or commercial property’s plumbing works as efficiently as possible at all times. If you have a clogged drain, leaky pipe, or any other plumbing issue, feel free to give us a call. We also use Green Technology to provide you with the best service that also seeks to be environmentally friendly.

Making small changes at home and in our communities can go a long way to prevent clogs, blockages, and other plumbing problems in the New Iberia and Lafayette, LA communities. Whether you have a plumbing, gas, or electric issue you can rest assured that Pipes and Plugs have the right knowledge, training, and experience to solve your problem the first time. We are firmly committed to customer service and quality work! For money-saving tips and coupons, customer referrals or testimonials, and expert information, visit us on the web or call one of our friendly representatives. At Pipes and Plugs our #1 goal is to provide friendly, quality work 100% of the time.

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