Harsh Missouri winters in the Ozarks can be particularly hard on our plumbing. A severe cold snap that lasts for more than a couple of days can lead to frozen pipes and all sorts of plumbing headaches.
One of the biggest problems with frozen pipes is that you might not know if your pipes are frozen until after they thaw. Since many pipes are hidden from sight, it can sometimes be hard to tell.
But when they do thaw, that can lead to major water leaks. If a water line is cracked, you don't have to turn on the faucet for the water to start coming out.
Here are some warning signs that your pipes have frozen and you might need plumbing pipe repair in Springfield Missouri.
Frost On Pipes
You can't see frost on a water line that is inside a wall or down in your crawl space. But if it stays cold enough long enough, the frost can work its way up to the pipes that you can see. On days where the temperature is well below freezing, take a walk through your home and examine any exposed pipes that you can see near an exterior wall to see if any frost is forming on them. If so, then that pipe may be in the process of freezing over. If it hasn’t completely frozen already.
Change In Water Pressure
Frozen water won't come out of the faucet, so if you turn your water on and nothing comes out, then the water may be frozen solid inside the pipe. If water does come out, but the water pressure seems lower than normal, your water may be starting to freeze, giving you time to take action.
Foul Odors
You can get foul odors in your plumbing if you've got a clog and a frozen drainage pipe is a type of clog. They can prevent odors from escaping your home, causing them to build up and create a stinky situation.
If you think you might have frozen pipes, there are several steps you need to take. First you need to turn off the water to the area of concern. Once the pipe thaws, it's possible that the expansion of the frozen water has cracked the water line and you don't want a big mess from a water leak on your hands that will require plumbing pipe repair.
When the weather turns cold, you'll want to take steps to prevent frozen pipes. Make sure your crawl spaces are closed to keep colder air out. Detach all hoses from any spigots to prevent water from freezing inside it.
Keep your cabinet doors open underneath your sinks to allow warmer area to circulate. For any plumbing on an exterior wall, let your faucets drip at night during extreme cold temperatures to keep the water moving.
Frozen pipes can be a devastating problem if left unchecked. Pipes that freeze can burst and cause tremendous damage to your home when they thaw.
If you find yourself dealing with frozen pipes, we're here to help. United Plumbing is a professional plumbing service in Springfield, Missouri and we're available day or night to help with any type of plumbing problems.