Grand Forks Homeowners: A Few Tips on Preventing a Frozen Pipe this Fall
The Red River Valley has had its first cold snaps of the season. One has to wonder if you are concerned over the prospect of a burst pipe when the deep freeze makes itself known, or perhaps you would like to put winter in its place before it is too late and the cold is here to stay.
We of Total Care Plumbing see our share of cold-weather plumbing issues and make it our business to spare homeowners in Grand Forks, ND as well as East Grand Forks and Crookston, MN from them. You are welcome to call (701) 402-6442 and we will be happy to answer any questions.
Preparation is best done in the fall. In these parts, a hard winter comes on quick and a frozen pipe can have your basement under water in hours. Then again, with some forethought most of that damage can be avoided.
Why do pipes freeze?
It is simple enough. Water expands on freezing and in a closed pipe the pressure is left with no outlet. The result is a cracked copper line or a PEX fitting split apart. The break may not even be at the point of the freeze; the pressure can build and show its work further down the line.
Pipes in unheated areas or those subject to the elements are the ones to be wary of. Some of the trouble spots in a typical Grand Forks home include:
- Any plumbing in an unheated attic or basement
- Lines in exterior walls that are not well insulated
- Crawl space water lines
- Spigots and hose bibs outside
- Wherever a pipe runs close to a gap or crack in the foundation
- Garage plumbing, provided the garage is not heated
A matter of common sense
You need not be a plumber for the basics. Tending to a few things in the autumn will prevent headaches down the road.
Take your outdoor faucets for instance. Put away the garden hoses and drain the line. If there is an interior valve for the spigot, turn it off. Leave a hose on and you will have water in the bib that will freeze and back up into the wall.
Then there is insulation. A foam sleeve is an easy way to cover exposed pipes in the garage or basement and they do not cost much. Make sure to seal any rim joists or foundation where the cold air can get to your plumbing.
On the very coldest of nights let a faucet run a slow trickle; moving water resists the freeze better than still. Open up the cabinet doors below your sinks to let in some of the house’s warmth.
Before the hard freeze we suggest you go over this checklist:
- All garden hoses should be disconnected and drained
- Outdoor supply lines to the faucet shut off and drained
- Use foam sleeves on any exposed pipe
- Close up gaps in the foundation near the plumbing
- Leave the thermostat as is, even in your absence
- Be sure you know where the main shutoff is
The crawl space
Should your home have one, the crawl space needs looking after in the fall. It is where cold air tends to collect and the pipes there are prime candidates for freezing. We do more with our crawl space encapsulation service than many a plumbing company; it insulates and seals the area to keep it dry and warm while putting moisture in check. For those who have had their troubles in winters gone by, it is something to consider.
In the event of a freeze
For all your preparations, it can happen. A mere trickle from the tap means you should move fast. Leave the faucet open and put some gentle heat to the ice with a hair dryer or a warm towel. An open flame is out of the question.
If the pipe has given way and you cannot locate the source of the problem, the main water valve must be shut and you should put in a call. We have someone on the phone seven days a week, day or night. For dispatched service we are available Monday to Friday between 8:00am and 4:30pm.
Our technicians with Total Care Plumbing Inc. are licensed and insured in North Dakota and Minnesota and can fix most of what they find on the spot. To see us through the winter without any pipe trouble, whether in preparation or in the midst of it, give us a ring at (701) 402-6442.