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Frozen Pipe Repair
Frozen Pipes Repair Chicago
Winter isn’t only about snowmen and Christmas lights; it’s also the time of year when pipes in your Chicago-area house or business may freeze. Pipes move four to eight gallons per minute, so if even one frozen pipe were to burst, you’d be looking at a disaster costing tens of thousands of dollars to repair in a home or business. It only takes a few degrees of water cooling below freezing inside a frozen pipe for ice to form in order for the pipe to break. This might lead to a pressure buildup of more than 3000 psi, which could split the pipe. Water damage will most likely occur once the pipe’s water has thawed.
In the cold, pipes also need to stay warm, just like people do. Why? Even the toughest residential or commercial plumbing system is susceptible to having a pipe burst because pipes contain water, and in cold temperatures, water freezes and expands. Frozen pipes can still split, crack, and explode even if your home or business closes for the winter, resulting in significant flooding and damage the following spring.
Most Vulnerable Pipes
Pipes that are directly exposed to the elements are the most vulnerable to freezing, including:
- Unheated interior plumbing lines
- Outdoor pipes with no insulation
- pipes that are close to the outer wall with no insulation
- water sprinkler lines
- Outdoor hoses
How to Prevent Frozen Pipes
- Use the proper pipe insulation materials to insulate your exposed and/or external pipes to prevent water from freezing in colder weather. Make sure to finish this before winter weather arrives and the temperatures begin to drop.
- Insulate any water storage tanks on your commercial property, both inside and out.
- To keep your pipes’ water from freezing, keep the flow going. Open the faucet just enough so that cold water begins to dribble out while you do this.
- Consider opening the under-sink cabinet to let warm air flow around your pipes if it is safe to do so.
- Ensure that the windows, doors, and crawl spaces in your basement are all properly weather-stripped, sealed, and insulated.
- Prior to the start of the winter season, disconnect and drain all outside hoses and water faucets.
- Replace drafty windows and doors if possible.
Consider adding storm windows and covers made of protective plastic in colder climates.
Signs of Frozen Pipes
Although planning ahead and performing regular maintenance are essential for the health and wellbeing of your pipes and plumbing system, it also helps to be vigilant for any of these warning signs that you might have a frozen pipe.
- Persistent plumbing issues
- Pipes covered in ice
- Damp drywall
- Low water pressure
- Unusual odors from your pipes
- Unfamiliar sounds from your pipes
Thawing your Pipes
Locating your frozen pipe(s) with accuracy might be challenging, especially if they are hidden behind walls that are difficult to access. On the other side, exterior pipelines might be simpler to find. If you can locate the problematic pipe, you might be able to restore water flow by using the following advice:
- Apply heat to the frozen pipe using a hairdryer, space heater, or by a heating pad.
- Keep the faucet running while you warm the pipes to allow the ice to not only thaw but to trickle out.
- Continue to apply heat until your water pressure is back to normal.
