Prevent Frozen Pipes During A Winter Freeze

A winter freeze has hit many parts of the United States, and it has caused a lot of damage to residential homes and commercial businesses. Pipes are freezing and bursting, causing water damage, costly repairs, and possibly bigger headaches down the road, like mold growth.

Rytech Restoration is a trusted leader among water damage repair companies, with over 27 years of experience helping commercial and residential property owners recover from water damage due to frozen pipes. 

"We understand the importance of helping property owners prevent frozen pipes from occurring in the first place. It's not to late to take steps to prevent this from happening at your home or business so that you don't have to suffer from the winter freeze."

Rytech Restoration

Understanding The Difference Between Cold And Hot Water Pipes

Cold Water Pipes versus Hot Water Pipes

Cold water pipes are used to supply water that is at or near room temperature, while hot water pipes are used to supply water that is heated to a temperature higher than room temperature. 

Heated water can come from a variety of sources, including a water heater, a heat pump, or a boiler system. The second difference between cold and hot water pipes is the material used to construct them. 

In most cases, cold water pipes are made of copper, while hot water pipes are made of plastic or steel. This is because copper is better able to withstand the higher temperatures of heated water, while plastic and steel are better able to withstand the lower temperatures of cold water. 

Another difference between cold and hot water pipes is the size. Cold water pipes are typically smaller than hot water pipes because cold water flows more slowly and does not require as much pressure to move through the pipes. 

Hot water pipes, on the other hand, must be large enough to accommodate the high pressure of heated water, so they are typically larger than cold water pipes.

Helpful Tips To Keep Your Plumbing From Freezing

Insulated plumbing pipes under residential home in crawlspace

Keeping your pipes from freezing and busting during cold weather is essential to protecting your home and avoiding costly repairs. One of the best ways to do this is to keep the pipes insulated. 

Insulate Exposed Pipes

Wrap any exposed pipes in insulation to prevent cold air from reaching them. Be sure to check the insulation around your pipes regularly and replace any that has become worn or damaged.   

Rytech gets calls to help with crawlspace mold problems and water leaks often, so remember to protect exposed plumbing in hidden areas of your property that can experience a drastic temperature drop. 

Running Cold And Hot Water Faucets

Another way to keep your pipes from freezing is to let your faucets drip hot and cold water slightly during cold weather. This will help to keep water moving through the pipes and prevent them from freezing. 

Some experts recommend that your outdoor faucets are properly shut off and drained before winter weather sets in. Others will tell you to keep the water running from outside to prevent water within your outdoor spigots from freezing.

Stay Heated To Keep Pipes Within Wall From Freezing

If your pipes are located in an unheated area of your home, such as an attic or basement, consider investing in a portable heater. This will help to keep the area warm and prevent your pipes from freezing. 

Know The Warning Signs

Hot water not running out of faucet showing signs of frozen plumbing pipes that can burst

Finally, it’s important to be aware of any warning signs that your pipes may be freezing. If you notice a decrease in water pressure or if your pipes make a loud banging noise, this could mean that they are beginning to freeze.

In this case, it’s important to take action immediately to prevent your pipes from bursting.

What To Do If You Have A Burst Pipe

A property owner should call a 24 hour emergency restoration company after a burst pipe causes water damage to ensure that the water is removed from the property quickly and efficiently. 

Water damage repair companies, like Rytech, use specialized equipment to extract the water and dry out the affected area to prevent mold and mildew growth. 

In addition, restoration companies are experienced in dealing with insurance companies and will help the property owner with the insurance claims process. 

Who to Call for Water Damage Restoration and Repair?

Rytech Restoration Water Damage Restoration, Repair, Cleanup Service

At Rytech Restoration, we understand the importance of getting water damage cleaned up as quickly and professionally as possible. That’s why we offer free water damage inspections and estimates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

Experienced technicians are standing by, available to inspect your property and provide an accurate cost estimate to repair any water damage caused by a frozen broken pipe. 

We are committed to providing you with quality workmanship and timely repair. If you would like to take advantage of our free water damage inspection and estimate, please get in touch with us today by clicking the button below or calling (800) 980-0112 today.