While Louisiana is known for its warm weather, that doesn’t mean our pipes still don’t face freezing temperatures during the brief winter. Temperatures can get relatively low here, with an average low temperature of 42F. On the rare occasion when temperatures drop below freezing temperatures, it can cause the water in your pipes to freeze.
If you suspect your pipes are frozen, stop using them until they thaw. Keep reading to learn more about what temperature pipes will thaw, what steps to take, the damage of frozen pipes, how Goodbee can help, and more!
Preventing Frozen Pipes
You don’t have to encounter frozen pipes if you take the proper steps in the first place. However, many people in Louisiana don’t think to protect their pipes from freezing temperatures since it’s such a naturally warm area. Don’t let this be your fatal mistake, and instead, follow some of our expert tips below to prevent your pipes from freezing.
Wrap Your Pipes with Insulation
You can find pipe insulation designed precisely for this purpose. You can easily apply the insulation to your exposed pipes. Get your underground pipes and the pipes in your walls insulated when you first get them installed. If you want to add insulation after the fact, your licensed Goodbee Plumbing team member will be able to help. Contact us to schedule your service and prevent an even more expensive repair down the line.
Shut Off Water to Outdoor Plumbing Fixtures
Your outside plumbing fixtures are naturally the most vulnerable, as they are exposed to the elements more than your inside pipes. Therefore, they experience freezing first. Turning off water to these fixtures can prevent them from freezing and prevent your inside pipes from freezing, too.
Install Freeze-Proof Plumbing Fixtures Outside
If you want to avoid having to panic and Google what temperature will pipes thaw in your future, you can buy freeze-proof outside bibbs. Some products are made of materials that don’t freeze or include pre-existing insulation. Other products have easy covers to protect them from the outside elements. Check out our blog if you have questions about the best products to freeze-proof your outdoor fixtures. If your question isn’t answered there, contact us; we are happy to help!
Run Warm Water Through Your Pipes
Pipes won’t freeze when they constantly encounter heat, such as warm water. Install a circulation system in your home’s plumbing infrastructure to keep water flowing steadily yet efficiently through the winter. Remember to keep your water heater on, even when you leave for vacation. Otherwise, the water running through your pipes can get cold.
Get Proper Insurance Coverage
Check your insurance policy to learn about your coverage related to frozen pipes. Verify whether the damage caused by freezing pipes is covered or not. If not, ask an associate about adding that particular coverage to your policy. It can save you a lot of money if an incident comes next winter.
Damage Caused by Frozen Pipes
When pipes freeze, it can have devastating (and expensive) )impacts on your plumbing system and residential or commercial property.
The water in your pipes will freeze when the temperatures get below 32F. When the water freezes, it expands. When water expands, it causes more pressure inside of your pipes. Your pipes are only rated to withstand a certain amount of pressure. High-pressure levels will wear the material and cause it to deteriorate prematurely. The frozen water inside your pipes can also impact water flow, preventing water from getting into your home or out of your drains as usual, only exacerbating the problem.
If the pressure becomes too much, you may experience a burst pipe. A burst pipe occurs when your pipe completely breaks. It can break at a seam or in the middle of a pipe. Burst pipes are more likely to happen in the case of older pipes or pipes not made to withstand high levels of pressure or heat.
It costs anywhere between $400 – $2,000 to repair a busted pipe, depending on the location and material of the pipe. However, the actual costs come from repairing the water damage. When you experience a burst pipe, water will flow freely from the burst pipe into your home, causing water damage. The longer the water can escape the pipe and enter your home, the more damage it will cause to your property. That’s why you must immediately take action if you suspect you have a burst pipe.
What To Do When You Have Frozen Pipes
If you have a burst pipe, don’t panic. The first thing to do is to stop water from reaching the burst pipe. You can turn off water to the building through the primary water source or a dedicated stop valve. You will only have access to water through any connected plumbing fixtures once the problem is resolved.
Use towels and other absorbent materials to clean up as much of the water as you can right away to minimize the damage. Open windows and run a fan to create ventilation. The ventilation can help the area dry, and it can help prevent mold development.
Next, you’ll need to call a plumber to resolve the issue. If you can access water in other areas of your home, you may decide to schedule the next available appointment on the schedule and simply keep the affected area out of commission until the appointment.
You must remove any materials damaged by the water, such as carpeting or wood. You should also clean the area with bleach to prevent mold. You may need professional water damage restoration services for extensive damage.
What Temperature Will Pipes Thaw?
Frozen pipes will start to dethaw once temperatures consistently exceed 32 degrees. The higher the temperature increases, the quicker the pipes will dethaw.
Can I Use a Hairdryer to Thaw Frozen Pipes?
For the best results, you want to let your pipes dethaw naturally. However, this can take a long time. Avoid being tempted to use a hairdryer or another electric heater to facilitate the processes, as the melting ice and electrical appliances can create a hazard. Furthermore, certain pipes, such as PEX pipes, cannot withstand high heat levels. A hairdryer or another source of high heat can damage the pipes.
Let Goodbee Answer The Question What Temperature Will Pipes Thaw and More!
Whether you want assistance with preventing frozen pipes, are seeking expert answers to what temperature will pipes thaw and other plumbing questions, or need assistance repairing frozen pipes, you can trust the plumbing experts at GoodBee Plumbing to restore water in your home.