Signs Your Pipes are Freezing

Signs Your Pipes are Freezing

Residential properties located in Northern US or in colder climate regions, are all at risk of suffering from frozen pipes. As your pipes freeze, up to 2,000lbs of pressure is administered per square inch. This can lead to burst pipelines which could release hundreds of gallons of water within a single hour causing the need for extensive and expensive plumbing repairs. By recognizing the signs of freezing pipes, you have a greater chance of getting the help you need before it’s too late. Contact a plumber right away if you notice any of the following signs…

• Cracking, whistling, bubbling and snapping sounds are all signs that your water pipes may be freezing and your water supply is having a hard time making its way through because of the cold. Although these sounds don’t always indicate freezing pipes, they usually mean that there is an issue somewhere in the pipeline.
• Damp drywall or puddled water especially under your sinks, is a sign that there is a leak somewhere in your plumbing system. When a pipe freezes, it is more likely to erupt which will release any of the water that has yet to freeze in the pipe all over the interior of your home, ruining its structure and creating health issues if not cared for immediately.
• If an unpleasant odor is coming from your drains or water fixtures, it could be a sign of a sewage backup or a broken pipe. Either way, it must get the attention of a plumber as soon as possible. If it is a backup causing the problem, your toilet and other water fixtures could experience backflow issues, releasing the dirty, harmful water into your home.
• Wet, frosted or bulging pipes are all surefire signs that your pipes are freezing. To avoid worsening the problem, turn your water supply off and turn the faucet connected to the problem pipeline on so that any pressure can be released. Once you do this, go back to the pipe showcasing condensation or bulging and warm it up with heating pads or a blow dryer until the water begins to flow more freely once again. Call a plumber once you have gone through all these steps.
• Persistent plumbing issues mean regardless of any repairs and maintenance you might have completed on your own, is a sign that a problem in the plumbing system still exists and it could be due to frozen pipes.