How To Identify & Repair Frozen Pipes In San Diego
Find out where the water is coming from. Often, if you trace the source of the leak to a single faucet, sink, or appliance, it’s likely that water froze because of either an air pocket in your plumbing system or sub-zero temperatures outside. If this is not the case, then you may be dealing with a burst pipe.
Cover up exposed pipes on your property immediately with insulation tape or heat tape to prevent further damage to woodwork and other fixtures. This will also help slow down any progress of freezing should outdoor conditions improve.
To help reduce the chance for future freezing problems, wrap exposed pipes located inside your crawlspace or basement with foam pipe insulation which can be purchased at any hardware store.
Drainpipes that have frozen are not ruptured by using either a hairdryer to melt the ice or wrapping them in towels, then pouring very hot water over them. If you are unable to find the source of the leak after thawing, call a plumber immediately for further assistance.
Once you have found out where the leak is coming from, dry out anything that was wet due to previous rain/snowmelt or broken plumbing pipes. This will help prevent secondary damage and mold growth if your home’s interior has remained dry.
Warning Signs Of Frozen Pipes
If you know by now that water is dripping from a pipe but can’t find where it’s coming from, you may want to check:
– Under sinks and cabinets because these areas can typically hide bad plumbing problems.
Any exposed wiring or outlets because frozen plastic will crack if moved suddenly. Woodwork and molding are affected by freezing water. Unfinished basements and crawl spaces because the insulation has been removed, allowing cold air to affect your pipes directly. Internal shut-off valves due to their proximity to the outdoors, where temperatures are consistently at their lowest. Before calling a plumber, make sure they inspect for signs of damage as well as permanently damaged/disconnected supply lines.
Freezing Weather Doesn’t Have To Mean Costly Water Damage
By identifying and repairing a leak as soon as possible, you can save yourself a lot of time and money, which would have been spent drying out water from your flooring, ceilings, furniture, etc.
It’s important to note that no amount of prevention can make up for neglecting early warning signs. In case of broken or frozen pipework contact, an experienced professional right away as repairs are necessary immediately before any further damage is done. It may sound like common sense, but we’ve all seen the consequences resulting from poor planning – even if it is just once – don’t let it be on your property!
Conclusion
Call 1st Response Leak Detection at (619) 374-8554 right away for urgent assistance, or email us.
