Winters in Kansas can be unforgiving, and when temperatures drop suddenly — or stay below freezing for days — your home’s plumbing can be at serious risk. Frozen pipes don’t just disrupt your routine; they can lead to costly damage if left unprotected. If you’re planning to be away from home this winter, taking preventative steps is especially important. Follow these helpful tips and trust Quick Relief Plumbing to prevent frozen pipes and keep your home safe all season long.
What to Look Out For
As the temperature drops and water freezes, homeowners must be aware of the risks of frozen pipes. When water freezes it expands, and this increased capacity can cause your plumbing to burst! Additionally, ice in your pipes stops water from flowing, so even if they do not burst, you will not have running water in your home. It’s important to prevent frozen pipes before they happen so you don’t have costly repairs and damage to your home. To be ready, monitor the weather and make sure you prepare for winter before freezing temperatures hit.
Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter
Here are some things you can do to prevent frozen pipes:
- Pipe Insulation: Insulating your pipes protects them from cold temperatures. We offer many types of insulation to make sure the freezing temperatures can’t reach the water inside your plumbing.
- Faucet Dripping: This method involves leaving your taps running just a bit to allow water to flow through your pipes at all times. Running water is much less likely to freeze, so leaving a drip from each faucet can be a great way to prevent frozen and burst pipes.
- Sealing Leaks: Quick Relief Plumbing can identify places in your home where pipes may be more likely to meet cold air. Sealing cracks or holes where cold air is entering your home and hitting your plumbing can prevent frozen pipes.
What to Do if Pipes Freeze
If you suspect your pipes are frozen, don’t panic! First, shut off the main water supply to your home. This will make sure there is no pressure built up in the frozen pipes. Next, try to locate the frozen pipe. It is likely in your basement, crawl space, or close to your home exterior where it is coldest. You will see frost on the outside of the pipe. Open the faucet connected to this pipe to relieve any built up pressure, then attempt to gently unfreeze the pipes with hot towels of a hair dryer. If you cannot identify the pipes, or they have already burst, contact Quick Relief Plumbing immediately. Our emergency plumbing professionals can take care of the situation quickly. Give us a call at 913-392-9576 for any emergencies or with help to prevent frozen pipes in your Lenexa, KS home!
