Understanding Plumbing Basics
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Understanding Plumbing Basics

As a new homeowner, I can tell you that things aren't always as simple as they appear. I started thinking about it a few years ago, and I realized that there were some serious problems with our plumbing system. We had issues with drains working correctly and toilets flushing like they should, so I started focusing more heavily on understanding the basics of our plumbing system. Within a few short months the entire system was operating more fluidly because of a few changes that I made, so I wanted to create a blog all about my journey. Check out these articles to learn more about the plumbing basics.

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Understanding Plumbing Basics

These Plumbing Tips Prevent Frozen Pipes

Jorge Alexander

It is a fact of life that pipes freeze in the winter. This spells bad news for your home in the cold months, which is especially unfortunate when you already have other facets of homeownership you need to pay attention to. Frozen pipes can create quite a problem, and it can even break the pipes open and lead to major leaks.

Fortunately, you can take some steps to prevent frozen pipes during the winter months. These are some things you should do now to avoid further problems.

Keep Water Moving

Keeping the water flowing, even at a very small pace, can help you keep the water inside from freezing. You can allow just a few drops of water to come out of the faucet each minute, which will prevent freezing. Make sure you do this for the outdoor faucets as well, as they are more often prone to freezing.

Allow the Warm Air Inside to Warm Pipes

Keep the air inside your home warm to keep the pipes to avoid freezing. The heater will keep pipes inside your wall warm enough, and if the area below your cabinets is especially cold, you should keep those areas open and exposed. Pipes in the garage may not have access to warm air, which can make things a bit more complicated.

Wrap Your Pipes

Pipe wrapping is a common technique people use to provide insulation for their pipes, especially for pipes that are outside or in the garage. If you do not have pipe wraps, you may be able to use towels and blankets until you get some.

If You Notice Freezing

If you already notice your pipes freezing, you can take a few steps to reverse the process. For example, you might get your hair dryer out and take care of exposed pipes you see freezing. Of course, this can be a time consuming process, and it is much better to prevent these issues rather than to try to fix them.

Now, if you return home and see that your pipes are already frozen, turn the water off and keep it off. Do not use the water until you call a plumber to ensure that you get water flowing through your pipes once again.

Plumbers Can Help

Do you want to prevent frozen pipes? Plumbing professionals can help you prevent freezing and deal with frozen pipes when they do happen. Contact a plumber today to begin.


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