Frozen Pipes 101: How to Protect Your Home and Respond to Emergencies

The chill of winter can make your home feel cozy and magical, but also brings dangers if you’re not prepared. Frozen pipes are a common problem in colder months that can lead to leaks and water damage. Understanding how to protect your home and what to do in an emergency can save emergency plumbing and water remediation services. 

If you do experience an emergency, the team at Water Damage Specialists in Lehi are here to extract water, dry out your home, restore your belongings and more. We also put together a guide to help understand how to prevent and manage frozen pipes. 

1. Understand Why Pipes Freeze

Pipes can easily freeze when temperatures drop below 32°F, especially in unheated or poorly insulated areas like basements, attics, and crawl spaces. When water freezes inside of your pipes, even small amounts of water can expand and put pressure on your pipe walls, which could cause them to burst. Pipes near the exterior walls of your homes, under sinks, or in garages are especially vulnerable to freezing and bursting and need attention. 

2. Winterize Your Home’s Plumbing

The good news is it’s not difficult to winterize your plumbing and avoid frozen pipes. Here are a few steps to take to protect your pipes from disaster: 

• Insulate Exposed Pipes: Use high-quality foam pipe sleeves or heat tape to insulate pipes, especially anything exposed or in unheated areas. 
• Seal Drafts: Check for cracks and gaps around your home’s windows, doors, and walls to keep out the cold air. Use caulking or draft guards to keep the aeras warm and keep the cold air out.
• Maintain a Consistent Temperature: Keep your home’s thermostat to at least 55°F, even if you’re going away for several days or weeks during the holidays. You need some warmth to protect your home and pipes from freezing and potentially bursting.

Taking preventive measures helps minimize the risk of frozen pipes and reduce the chances that you’ll need emergency Lehi water damage repair.

3. Recognize the Signs of Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes often have telltale signs that you can address before they burst. Here are some red flags to watch out for:

• Reduced or No Water Flow: A slow trickle or complete stop in water flow could be a sign you have ice forming inside of your pipes. 
• Frosty Pipes: Frost that’s covering exposed pipes, especially in any areas of your home that aren’t well heated, is a sign they’re in the process of freezing. 
• Unusual Sounds: Strange noises like banging or clanging from your pipes are an indication of internal ice buildup that’s putting pressure on your pipes.
• Bulging Pipes: If you see visible bulging, you should call a plumber right away. You probably have ice inside your pipes walls that could lead to a burst. 

If your pipes do burst, there is help. Call us right away for water damage services in Lehi, UT, to address any leaks or damage and we’ll get your home back on track.

4. Responding to a Frozen Pipe Emergency

If you suspect your pies are frozen, there are some steps to minimize damage and restore water flow:

• Turn Off the Main Water Supply: Before you try to thaw the pipe, it’s important to shut off the main water supply to prevent potential flooding if you experience a burst pipe. 
• Gradually Warm the Pipe: Take a hairdryer or space heater and gently warm up the frozen area of the pipe. Start warming the end of the pipe closest to your faucet and work backwards. Never leave your space heater unattended and avoid flames or high heat that could create a fire hazard.
• Open Faucets: Open the faucet that’s connected to the frozen pipe. Even if water won’t flow, it will help relieve the pressure and allow the water to flow once the ice begins to melt.

If you manage to restore the flow of water, inspect the pipe for cracks or leaks. It’s a good idea to call a plumber to inspect your pipes or install a leak detection device to ensure there’s not a hidden issue that could turn into a messy emergency.

5. Long-Term Solutions for Preventing Frozen Pipes

When you live in Utah’s snowy climate, consider long-term solutions to prevent frozen pipes:

• Install Pipe Heating Cables: Explore whether or not electric cables are a good choice for your vulnerable pipes. They can be wrapped around exposed pipes to keep them warm and prevent freezing during extreme cold spells.
• Upgrade Insulation: Does your home have areas that are always cold or have old insulation? Make an investment in adding insulation to your walls, attics, or crawl spaces to keep the heat inside your home and protect your pipes.
• Consider a Smart Thermostat: Smart thermostats give you flexibility to warm up your home while you’re away from home. If an unexpected cold snap rolls through, you can adjust the temperature for more peace of mind.

What to Do if You’re Hit with Water Damage

Despite your best efforts, pipes can freeze, burst, and leave a wet mess in your home. Take action as soon as you notice water damage to minimize further issues like mold growth or structural damage. The team at Water Damage Specialists are here to offer the comprehensive water damage repair services you need, including water extraction, drying, and cleanup to restore your home quickly.

Call Water Damage Specialists in Lehi for Expert Water Damage Repair Services

We understand better than anyone that time is of the essence with water damage. Were skilled at cleaning up big messes, extracting water, structural drying, mold remediation, and more. Call us whenever you need water damage repair services in Lehi UT. We’ll restore your home, and your peace of mind, as soon as possible. Schedule your appointment today!