Frozen Pipe SOS

When it's bitter cold outside, the last thing you want to have to worry about is a froze union fitting n pipe. This can create household damage, inconvenience and the breaking of the budget. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of remedy, so read on to find out how to prevent this from happening in the first place and what steps to take if it does.

Frozen Pipe Prevention Tips:

- Keep the house at a comfortable temperature. Even if you are gone during the day or on an out-of-town trip, during the frigid months, it is important to keep the heater on so that the house remains at 60 degrees.
- Listen to the weather report so that you'll be ready when those icy days arrive.
- While on vacation, you'll want to make certain that all windows and doors are left tightly sealed in order to keep the drafts out. Open cupboards so that the warm air can reach the pipes.
- Insulating is a good idea. Wrap thermal insulation around them in order to blanket and protect them from freezing weather.
- Heat tape will provide another layer of protection, especially in extremely cold temps or in the case of plumbing that is exposed.
- Disconnect outdoor hoses and turn the water off to outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems. Make certain that they are emptied of water before winter sets in.

If your prevention tips didn't stop the problem from happening, her weld pipe fittings e's what to do next:

- Open the frozen faucet in order to let the water come out in a safe and natural way as thawing begins.
- Thaw the ice carefully and slowly. A blow dryer or space heater may do the trick.
- Never use a blow torch as this may melt the metal, causing even more troubles for the plumbing system. Flames can start a house fire which is far wo elbow npt rse than a plumbing problem.
- If you notice a leak, breakage has already occurred. Turn off the water before a flood ensues.
- Get towels ready to mop up, just in case. A mop and bucket would be good ideas, as well.
- Get a consultation from a licensed plumber. The water distribution system may need to be re-routed or outdoor components may need to be relocated inside, underground or in the home's crawl space.

When this household problem occurs, it's important to act calmly and quickly in order to keep the damage at a minimum. Make a plan for the next drop in temperatures and remember that spring will soon arrive.