3 Simple Signs to Save Yourself the Frustration of Burst Pipes
With the onset of winter, ice, snow, and freezing temperatures become the norm. In addition to ensuring proper insulation for your house, homeowners need to be on the lookout for the potential of frozen pipes. Fixing a pipe in the early stages of freezing is essential to keep the pipe from bursting.
Thankfully, there are three signs to watch out for that will help you know whether your pipes are going to freeze. If you catch it early enough, you can easily prevent burst pipes.
Uneven Water Stream From Faucets and Showerheads
When you turn on the kitchen faucet or your shower, you should expect a regular flow of water. When your pipes are in the early stages of freezing, however, ice forms on the inside of your pipes.Ice in your pipes will produce an uneven water stream. You’ll know when this occurs due to the frustration of having only half the water you’re used to when taking a shower or washing your hands.
Uneven water flow is far more than a mere inconvenience, however. Uneven water streams coming from any faucet should be a red-flag warning that you might have ice in your pipes.
Frost on Pipes: A Key Indicator of Freezing
Some signs of freezing pipes are more evident than others. If you have a naturally low-pressure house, it might be hard to tell if you have uneven water flow. However, this net tip applies to anyone who can visibly check their pipes. Whether you have a crawlspace foundation or a basement, you should regularly check your pipes during winter. Keeping a close watch is the easiest way to prevent your pipes from completely freezing and potentially bursting.
If you examine your pipes and find frost forming on them, you have a crucial indicator that the water inside is freezing. Your pipes should never look like the inside of your icemaker. Any time there is frost on your pipes, you could have an entire pipe or a section of pipe that is freezing solid on the inside. Frost on your pipes, is one of the most straightforward signs and symptoms of freezing. Go by the rule that if you find frost on your pipes, you need to fix it fast.
Cold “Hot” Water
If you turn on the hot water tap expecting a hot, steamy shower only to have lukewarm water pour out instead, you could have ice inside your pipes. When ice forms inside of a pipe, it sticks to the pipe walls. As water flows through the pipe, incoming water will flow over icicles, mixing cold with hot.A temperature change in your hot water could be a serious sign that you’re looking at frozen pipes. If you think running the water for longer will help, you could be wrong. If your pipes have ice inside, continuing to run water will only produce the same cold water. The only way to get your water temperature back to normal is to locate the frozen pipe and fix it.
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Force Plumbing and Heating LLC have been the go-to company for Holmdel, NJ, and Monmouth County residents for years. Ranked as the 2017 “best of” winner from HomeAdvisor, Force Plumbing and Heating LLC is dedicated to providing customers with the expert plumbers and technicians, on-time arrivals, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
