Alto and Grand Rapids, MI., homeowners know how cold it can get during winter, and with that cold comes frozen pipes. When pipes freeze, they’re most prone to bursting, which can wreak havoc on your home. If your pipes are likely to freeze this winter, call us and ask about our burst pipe repair service to ensure the safety of your property.
Are your water bills unexpectedly rising? Check out our water leak detection service to locate the problem.
What Causes Pipes to Burst
With fluctuating temperatures, one never knows how cold it can get in winter. When the temperature drops below freezing, burst pipes become an issue for many Alto and Grand Rapids homeowners. So, why do pipes burst when they freeze? Well, when water in the pipes freezes, it expands, which causes the pressure to increase in the pipe and leads to rupture.
However, freezing water isn’t the only cause of burst pipes. Corrosion and sediment buildup also causes pipes to fail. The key is to have a reliable residential plumber you can call for expert repair when you experience a failed pipe so you can minimize the damage.
How to Prevent Burst Pipes
Since no one wants to deal with the damage, expense, and mess caused by burst pipes, it’s wise to do all one can to prevent this problem from happening in the first place. Since the primary cause of burst pipes is freezing water, let’s look at what you can do to fix this before it becomes an issue.
- Keep Faucets Running - When it gets frigid outside, it’s good to keep one or more of your faucets running slowly since water moving through the system has less chance of freezing than water sitting idle in pipes.
- Direct Warm Air to Cold Areas - In many cases, the pipes that freeze are the ones located near an outside wall or window, so the trick is to direct warm air to those areas to guard against pipes freezing. Pay close attention to pipes located in the basement or near the exterior of your house.
- Leave Cabinet Doors Open - When you have sinks or plumbing located on an outside wall, it’s essential to allow warm air in to keep the pipes from freezing. Keep cabinet doors in the bathroom and kitchen open during freezing weather and consider using a space heater for extra protection.
- Disconnect Hose from Outside - Disconnect your garden hose from the outside hose bib because water won’t drain out if you leave it connected, which can lead to freezing and a burst.
- Insulate Your Home - Seal any leaks that allow cold air into your house and beef up the insulation to hold in the heat and prevent pipes from freezing.
- Call an Expert - Before winter arrives, it’s wise to call an experienced residential plumber like Sheely Plumbing Inc. to inspect your plumbing system and see which pipes are likely to freeze. Once identified, the plumber will recommend ways to minimize the chance of frozen pipes and bursts.
Do you continuously run out of water in your Alto or Grand Rapids home? Our tankless water heater service may be the answer to the problem.
Signs You Need Water Main Repair
If you’re having water problems in the house, the culprit may be a central or main water line. Here are signs you may need water main repair.
- Puddles in the Yard - If you see puddles in the yard or some patches of the lawn that are lusher than others, it could be that the main water line is leaking.
- Reduced Water Pressure - If your water pressure suddenly drops, it could be a blockage or leak in the main water line.
- A Rise in Water Bills - A sudden spike in your water bill indicates a leak somewhere in the system, and if you can’t see where it is, it may be in the main water line.
- You Hear Gurgling Sounds - Strange gurgling sounds coming from your toilet or sinks means you have a plumbing issue, and that could be a problem in the main water line.
If you notice any of the above issues or have any other plumbing problems, call Sheely Plumbing Inc. for an appointment.