Preventing Frozen Pipes

12/23/2019 (Permalink)

Frozen pipes in Oklahoma City

Preventing Frozen Pipes

You live in Oklahoma City where the temperature drops well below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, you know that your water pipes may freeze. Unfreezing them is a chore that requires patience, so it's better if they don't freeze in the first place, which requires diligence and preparation.

In Oklahoma City, temperatures can drop to the teens or low 20s just about any time between November and March. Usually, there is plenty of warning on the local Edmond news. Follow these tips to reduce the likelihood of frozen pipes and the resulting water damage.

• When you hear those warnings, make sure you open the faucets in your Edmond house, and let them drip throughout the dangerous weather. That will keep them from freezing and causing a lot of water damage. However, before you get to that point, prepare your pipes. Wrap any exposed areas in fiberglass insulation or foam rubber.
  
  
• If you have exposed piping in your crawl space or attic, insulate it to ward off the extreme cold.
  
  
• Open all your cabinet doors so that warm air can circulate around the pipes.
  
  
• You can also install powered heat tape, which requires little maintenance and provides maximum protection. It costs pennies per day to keep your Edmond pipes safe an prevent water damage.
  
  
• If you have a conglomeration of pipes in one area, put a high-wattage lamp near them to keep them warm.
  
  
• Stop all drafts from getting to the pipes by caulking the nearby windows and any openings in the foundation.
  
  
• Slow and steady wins the race. A professional plumber knows how to slowly thaw your pipes safely, so they won't suffer more water damage.

If your pipes do freeze, remain calm. Don't try to thaw them in 30 minutes. If you overheat your frozen pipes, you could cause internal steam that will burst your pipes, and then you'll have frozen pipes and a big mess of water damage to repair and clean. A hair dryer set on low will do the job quite nicely if you have the patience to let it work.

If you're unlucky enough to have your pipes burst and cause water damage, you should contact SERVPRO of South Tulsa County immediately to fix your pipes and remove any trace of the problem. We're standing by to perform emergency service if you need us. Call (918) 437-2095 if you need help 24/7/365.

An unexpected cold snap can snarl your pipes. Be prepared against any such event. Thoroughly insulate your Oklahoma City home, and pay attention to the weather reports. A measure of prevention will eliminate any need for a cure. But if your pipes do burst, we're ready to fix the water damage and make sure it does not recur.