During the winter months, homeowners are bombarded with a lot of possible home problems and repairs. When the temperature drops, one of the most common problems to encounter is a frozen water pipe. It is also the most dangerous and can be costly. Water will expand when it freezes over. As a result, it can put pressure on the pipes, until such time that it cannot hold the ice anymore. Spotting a frozen pipe earlier can prevent it from bursting. For example, if you turn on the faucet and get only little drops of water, it’s highly possible that there is a frozen pipe.
However, if you miss the early warning signs, the problem can worsen – from dealing with a hairline crack or a crack as big as the pipe itself. It also presents several problems such as:
- Lack of running water. Without a proper supply of running water, you may find it hard to do your daily tasks such as washing the dishes and taking a bath. A frozen pipe can really interfere with your day to day activities.
- Potential to burst. A frozen pipe is a ticking time bomb as it can burst at any time. If a pipe bursts outside, you need to deal with a damaged water pipe plus it can also create a slippery condition that worsens with the freezing temperature.
Finding frozen pipes
There are so many water pipes in your home – both inside and outside. Every sink and shower has its own pipes and there are also outside pipes that supply water inside your home. Fortunately, there are signs that can help you spot frozen pipes before they burst. This includes:
- Strange smells coming from the faucet
If there is a potential sign of frozen pipes somewhere, your faucet will give off an odd smell. Remember, if the pipe is blocked, the only way for the odor to get out is through the faucet or the drain.
- No water supply
When you turn on your faucet and there is no water or if there is, it is too little, it might be that your pipes are frozen. If you turn on the bathroom faucet and no water comes out, the water pipe that supplies that faucet is likely to be frozen so check that pipe out.
- There is frost on the pipe
If you can see your pipes with your naked eye, you may be able to see frost on the exterior surface. This will give you a warning sign that your pipe is possibly frozen.
- The temperature is freezing
Pipes don’t freeze when it is not cold enough. However, when the temperature drops below the freezing, you should start taking certain precautionary measures to prevent frozen pipes from happening.
Once you sport that have frozen pipes, you should act immediately and deal with it before it can create more serious troubles and a costly repair.