If you live in an area where the winter months bring freezing temperatures, your water pipes are at risk of freezing. To prevent this from happening, you need to make sure all water pipes that are exposed to the outside or in a uninsulated building are protected with insulation. Our Professional Plumbing in Apache Junction, AZ can help prevent freezing.
Some water pipes may be underneath your home if it does not have a basement. If so you will need to crawl underneath the house. Other pipes may be in an uninsulated outbuilding or an attic. Be sure to locate all pipes that will be susceptible to the freezing temperatures. You can buy pipe insulation at a hardware or home goods store. Cut it to the correct length and fit it over the pipe. Be sure to cover the entire pipe, even an inch or two left exposed could cause your water supply to freeze. Don't forget the spigots that are sometimes on the side of the house to attach water hoses to. You can buy insulated covers for them.
If your pipes do freeze, first shut off the water supply. There is an internal water stop valve inside your home. Most of the time you can find them under the kitchen sink, but sometimes they can be in a basement or garage. You will also have an external water stop valve that needs to be shut off. This may be on your property near a water meter, but it may also be near a road and shared with neighboring houses. If you are not sure call Professional Plumbing in Apache Junction, AZ. Once the water supply is off it is safe to identify which pipe is frozen and begin to unthaw it. Often pouring boiling water over the frozen area, or using a hairdryer on the hottest setting can unthaw the frozen pipe easily.
