How Freezing Winters Cause Pipe Bursts in Ford Heights

When cold winter air comes into contact with pipes in a home or business due to poor insulation or unintended exposure, water in the pipe can freeze. That’s pretty obvious. What isn’t as obvious is how or why pipes burst after freezing. 

Most people assume that the expansion of water when it freezes is the problem, but actually that’s only part of the story. You see, a frozen pipe doesn’t necessarily result in a broken pipe.

A frozen pipe bursts when the water doesn’t have anywhere to go when it expands as it turns into ice. So, pipes that are already partially clogged won’t fare well when they freeze because the expanding water will push against the buildup in the pipes, making them more likely to burst. Additionally, pipes that have thinned due to scale or grease buildup or pipes that are brittle due to corrosion from old age have less overall resilience when stressed by something like freezing water. In these circumstances, a frozen pipe can crack or push fittings apart. This kind of problem isn’t easily identifiable when the pipe is frozen. But when it thaws, watch out! A broken pipe will be quickly exposed once water starts flowing again because you’ll end up with water everywhere!

So, what can you do if you have a frozen pipe? You can work on thawing it yourself or call a professional Ford Heights plumber for help. The key is to thaw the pipe gently to minimize damage. Insulate the nearby area around the pipe to prevent further freezing and warm up the pipe slowly with low heat to avoid damaging it. Open up faucets so you know when water starts flowing again. As water starts moving, keep a close eye on the area that was frozen so you can tell right away if water is leaking. If you notice water dripping or spraying or hear hissing or rushing sounds behind nearby walls or in the ceiling overhead, turn off the water immediately and call a local Ford Heights plumber!

When you have frozen pipes, give us a call at 1 (800) 674-9130 for help! We’ll come out right away and get to work repairing your broken pipes. Find out why more Ford Heights homeowners and business owners choose us!