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Cold seasons in America are relatively fun. While winter provides opportunities for ice skating, among other fun activities, the same cannot be said about plumbing fixtures. Unfortunately, winter is always approaching, and this does not mean anything good for your plumbing. Therefore, as a diligent homeowner, it is important to understand the effects of winter on your plumbing system and prepare in advance, regardless of the current season. Knowing who to call for your plumbing service is important.

The weather is cold and perhaps dropping drastically with every day’s passing. You turn on your water fixtures, and water is evidently not coming out. Chances are you are dealing with a similar problem as your neighbors, which is frozen water pipes.

Check out this plumbing service guide on frozen water pipes to help you prepare in advance for winter and the accompanying freezing pipes.

What Are Frozen Pipes?

As the name suggests, a frozen pipe is essentially a pipe that freezes due to the surrounding cold weather. Frozen pipes are common in winter. Temperatures tend to drop occasionally, and since water freezes at the prospect of cold, these pipes flowing water tend to suffer the same fate. Unfortunately, frozen pipes result in burst pipes, which is automatic water damage that compromises your home’s structural integrity and interiors.

How can I know if I have frozen pipes? Fortunately, unlike drain leaks which take time to manifest, spotting frozen pipes is easy. However, upon spotting any frozen pipes, expert plumbing services do not advise any attempt at DIY thawing or repairs, especially if you don’t know the extent of the damage. Contact an expert plumbing service Mansfield, TX company to help reverse the situation accordingly.

5 Plumbing Service Signs Your Pipes Are Frozen

Below are a few clues to help you know if you have frozen pipes on your property:

  1. Notable frost on your pipes. For pipes that you can actively see and reach, for example, those underneath your sink, you can notice the frost that has accumulated on the pipe’s exterior. This is a warning sign of a potential frozen pipe before you turn on the nearest faucet
  2. Foul Smells. Frozen pipes cause blockages. Consequently, you will notice a strange foul smell coming from the drain or faucet, courtesy of the blockage. Unfortunately, if a pipe is partially or fully blocked as a result of the freezing, the only way the odor can escape is backward in the direction of your Mansfield, TX home
  3. Water is not coming out of your faucets. Do you lack running water? One of the possible explanations is a partially or completely frozen inlet pipe. If the freezing pipes are located behind a wall and have cracked then thawed, you will likely notice a reduction in water pressure typically caused by water leaking. If you turn on your faucet and you notice a small trickle or no water at all, call an expert plumbing service to check for a possible pipe freeze
  4. Wet floors and walls. You are likely to detect signs of moisture on your floor or wall that is closest to the impacted pile
  5. The temperature is right. A pipe rarely freezes if it’s not cold outside for them to freeze. Additionally, water doesn’t freeze when it is 60°F outside, and neither will the pipes. Therefore when the immediate and surrounding temperature falls to 32°F or under, it is advisable to consult an expert plumbing service to help you prevent vulnerable pipes from freezing.

Generally, with frozen pipes, prevention is always better than costly repairs and replacements. Therefore, while we don’t always advocate for DIY pipe repairs and tasks unless trained and authorized to do so, there are a few preventative steps you can take to prevent pipes from freezing.

Dangers of Frozen Pipes

A frozen pipe is a major cause for alarm, whether during winter or not. On the one hand, frozen pipes are a major inconvenience. On the other hand, they can cause severe property damage. Below are the two most prevalent dangers associated with a frozen pipe:

  • Low water pressure/ Lack of running water

A frozen pipe provides the inability to access running water. Even when you can, the water pressure will likely be below. This causes an inconvenience, hindering you from performing everyday tasks such as doing your laundry