How To Prevent Frozen Water Pipes During The Winter

frozen pipe repair service Frozen water pipes can occur during the winter months when temperatures drop below freezing. They are particularly common during periods of high wind. Homes that are currently unoccupied are also at risk of having their pipes freeze, simply because there is no heat running through the ventilation system next to the pipes to help keep them from getting too cold.

Unfortunately, when water pipes freeze, the damage can be extensive. If you live on Long Island, where freezing temperatures are common, it might be difficult to find an available plumber to make any necessary repairs during a cold snap since they may already be helping other customers. Having to wait to restore running water to your home can leave you in a real bind. The best way to avoid this problem is by taking steps to prevent and fix frozen water pipes during the winter.

If the weather forecast is calling for exceptionally low temperatures, you should leave all of your faucets dripping. This is particularly important for any faucets that get their water supply from pipes that are not well-protected from the weather. Water is much less likely to freeze when it is in motion. The slow drip can keep the water in the pipes moving enough that it won’t freeze.

Before winter hits, be sure to turn off the water supply to any outdoor faucets. Don’t forget to turn on the faucet after the main water supply has been cut off to remove any excess water from the pipes. The expanding and contracting motion of water that occurs when it freezes can cause the pipe to burst. Neglecting to turn off the water outside is one of the most common issues that people run into when springtime rolls around.

Any plumbing that runs through cabinets that are located on the outer walls of your home can be protected by opening the cabinet doors during periods of extremely cold weather. When the cabinet doors are closed, it is harder for heat to get into the space. As a result, the pipes may freeze. Opening up the cabinet doors can allow heat from your home to penetrate the space, helping to prevent frozen pipes.

Proper insulation is essential. All exposed plumbing should be covered with insulating sleeves or pipe tape. It is best to do this before winter strikes. Otherwise, you may have trouble finding pipe insulation in stock. Usually, when the first freeze happens, stores sell out quickly with everyone rushing to protect their pipes. Insulating your pipes in the fall is the best way to ensure that they will be properly protected.

If you are going to be gone for an extended period of time during the winter, you should plan ahead to avoid any problems. Use a programmable thermostat to maintain the temperature inside your home. Additionally, consider asking a neighbor to check in on your property periodically to make sure that the heating system is still working. The last thing that you want is to come home to frozen pipes.

If your pipes do freeze, there are some steps that you can take on your own while you are waiting for a plumber to get to your property. Start by increasing the amount of heat in the room. If you have a space heater available, you can direct it toward the frozen pipes.

Rather than waiting until there is a problem, however, it is much better to be proactive. Using all of the tips in this article, you should be able to keep your pipes from freezing no matter how cold it gets this winter.

The Steps You Need to Take If Your Plumbing Starts To Leak

Broken pipe water leak detection services Even a small plumbing leak has the potential of becoming a disastrous issue. Many people think of plumbing leaks as a dripping faucet or a small drip located under the sink. Although these leaks are annoying, most people do not worry about fixing them; however, these small issues can become a catastrophic issue if you do not deal with it quickly and properly.

A plumbing leak can occur anywhere in the home where your plumbing pipes are located. This means a leak can occur in your basement, in your crawl space, in your floors, in your ceilings and in your walls. Because the pipes can be out of sight, you may not realize that you have a leak until it develops into a catastrophic leak. Continue reading to learn what to do if you find a leak.

What to Do if You Have a Burst Pipe

During the winter, the water inside your pipes can freeze. As the pipe thaws, air is released, which can cause pressure to build up inside your pipe. This pressure can cause your pipe to break. This type of plumbing problem is called a burst pipe. If you experience a burst pipe, here is what you should do.

If your water freezes, turn on all of the faucets in your home to allow the air to escape and minimize the pressure inside your pipes. As the pipe thaws, you may hear a hissing sound coming from your pipes. This is normal and can help prevent a break. Next, turn off the main water valve. Finally, heat your home to help thaw your pipes. Do not place a space heater near your pipes or use a blow torch to thaw your pips as it can pose a fire risk and even damage your pipes.

What to Do if You Have a Leak Near a Faucet

The first step to take with any plumbing issue is to turn off the main water supply. Once you have done this, you can either look for the leak or contact a plumber. A leak at your faucet could be caused by a broken seal, a break or even too much water pressure. A plumber can help determine the issue and correct it.

What to Do if You Have a Leaky Toilet

As with the other plumbing issues, the first step is to turn off your main water supply. Because there are several reasons for a toilet to be leaking, contact your plumber. The plumber will assess the situation and make the necessary repairs.

What to Do if You Have a Leak Inside Your Walls or Floor

This type of leak is the most difficult to fix. If you notice any water damage to your walls or floors, contact a professional plumber to inspect the plumbing system in your home.

To help minimize the damage from a plumbing leak, act quickly to get the burst pipe repair done. Do not wait until a small leak turns into a burst pipe or larger plumbing issues as even the smallest leak can end up costing your thousands of dollars. Instead, contact a plumber to assess and correct any plumbing issues as soon as you notice them.

Plumbing Emergencies – What Needs To Be Done For A Burst Pipe

burst pipe repair plumber No homeowner on Long Island ever wants to have to deal with burst plumbing pipes. However, unfortunately, it is all too common for pipes to burst, which causes serious damage and flooding.

There are numerous reasons why a pipe might burst like a pipe that freezes and expands and then bursts, a crack in a pipe caused by too much pressure, or a corroded pipe. If you do end up with a burst pipe, then it is very important that you know how to prevent even more expense and damage.

The following are tips for what you should do when you have a burst pipe occur:

1. The very first step you should take when you notice you have a burst pipe is make sure to turn your main water supply off. You can either turn the water off a the main water valve in your basement or at your water meter.

2. Your next step is draining the water system to prevent the water from flooding your home to cause even more damage. This can be done through turning all the taps off in your house and flushing the toilet. That will help water drain a lot more quickly from the pipes. If water is coming in from the ceiling and a bulge is being caused, then a hole can be made in the bulge and a bucket can be held underneath it order to catch any excess water.

3. If there is leaked water close to any electrical appliances, then it is critical that the electricity be turned off since that can be dangerous. Remove the right fuse if there is any water close to a light switch or fixture.

4. Turn the water heater and central heating off. After the water heater is off, then turn the hot water taps on in order to reduce pressure inside of the pipes. This will help to drain the water also.

5. After there isn’t any more water leaking into the house, and there isn’t any danger of water getting into the water heating system and appliances, then you can search for what the source of your pipe burst is. This will allow you to give important information to your plumber when you call for emergency services to be done at your home.

6. Call a plumber. Any time you have a burst pipe that is a serious issue and a professional plumber needs to repair it. Plumbers have the tools, experience and knowledge to conduct quality repair jobs correctly.

You shouldn’t use joint compound or Teflon tape to try to repair a burst pipe since it will just end up bursting against. Electrical wiring damage also may be dangerous, so a professional should be called to perform any necessary repairs.

After a pipe bursts, it is critical to efficiently and quickly take the necessary steps to prevent any further damage from occurring. After you have taken the appropriate steps for minimizing threats and damage like leaking water on live wires, it is critical to contact a professional plumber. They understand that emergencies may occur at any time of the night or day, so that is why they offer 24 hour emergency service.

Also, since burst pipes are serious plumbing emergencies, it is critical that the repair be made by a profession to make sure there are not any more problems in the future. A plumber also can inspect the pipes to make sure there isn’t any additional damage that you might not have noticed. They also can ensure the system is operating correctly once the repair work is finished.