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How Do You Know If Your Pipes Are Frozen?
4 min read
Unfortunately, with Suffolk County’s cold and snowy winter, frozen and burst pipes are a real concern among property owners. The consequences can range from structural damage to bacterial growth, and the costs of frozen pipe repair and water damage restoration can quickly add up.
Fortunately, many frozen pipe problems can be prevented with awareness and simple precautions. But how do you know if your pipes are frozen? What are the most common warning signs to watch out for? Below, we’ll answer these questions and more.
How To Tell if Pipes Are Frozen: 5 Warning Signs To Look Out For
1. No Water Coming Out of the Faucet
The clearest sign you have frozen pipes is if you turn on the tap and nothing comes out. This happens when water has frozen within a part of the pipe, and the pressure is no longer sufficient to push water through.
It can also mean the pipe is entirely blocked due to expanded ice. In some cases, you may still see a slight trickle of water due to a partial freeze, but this is a warning sign you shouldn’t ignore.
2. Visible Frost on Exposed Pipes
Another fairly common but slightly harder-to-spot sign of a frozen pipe is the presence of frost on the lines themselves. This warning sign is easy to catch if you can access your pipes. Exposed pipes that have frozen may be covered in an icy residue or have a coating of condensation on the outer surface. This likely means the inside of the pipe is entirely frozen in that section.
3. Unusual Sounds
If the first three signs aren’t present, how do you know if your pipes are frozen? Another thing to keep in mind is that frozen pipes typically produce unusual sounds. These gurgling, clanging, or banging sounds may be alarming, but they are often the result of the ice thawing and moving within the pipes as it melts.
4. Cracked Pipes
Cracked pipes are both a sign and a potential consequence of freezing. When water inside the pipe freezes, it expands and creates pressure within the pipe. If the pipe is weak due to age or wear and tear, it’s more likely to succumb to the pressure exerted by the expanding ice and burst.
If you suspect that your home’s water lines have cracked, it’s best to shut off your water supply and have a professional plumber assess and repair your plumbing as soon as possible.
5. Water Damage
The most severe sign of frozen pipes is spotting signs of water damage in your home. A burst pipe can allow a significant amount of water to pour into your home, causing flooding, structural damage, and other related issues.
With that said, freezing won’t always cause pipes to burst. Instead, it can create cracks leading to small leaks that may not be immediately noticeable, especially if they happen behind walls or in less-trafficked areas of your home.
Keep an eye out for signs such as peeling or bubbling paint, musty odors associated with mold, the sound of running water, or sagging and collapsing walls and ceilings.
What To Do After a Frozen or Burst Pipe
If your water pipes have already frozen, it’s best to immediately turn off the water at the main shutoff valve in your house and get expert plumbing help before they burst.
However, if a burst pipe has already allowed water inside your home, call professionals specializing in both frozen and burst pipe cleanup and water damage restoration as soon as possible. They have the tools and expertise to address the burst pipe, restore your plumbing, resolve the water damage it caused, and protect your property from further issues.
Restoration 1 of Suffolk County Is Your Reliable Team for Frozen and Burst Pipes
Dealing with a frozen or burst pipe and the mess it can create inside your home can be overwhelming. But with our local Restoration 1 team by your side, rest assured we’ll help you through every step of the process. Our team is ready to assess the damage for free, explain your options, and answer any questions you may have to help ease your concerns.
Call Restoration 1 of Suffolk County today and get fast, reliable help when a frozen pipe bursts. We’re available 24/7 to help you get your property dry and back to normal as soon as possible.
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