Master License
#13385

Dependable, High Quality,
Expert Plumbing & Heating Service

Boston Plumbing and Heating Blog

Prevent Frozen Pipes – Boston, Worcester

02 Jan 2014

Temperatures are falling into the teens and below, and a big Nor'easter has arrived. Both have plumbers preparing for overtime. Protecting water pipes is your first line of defense.

Plumbers will tell you that there's no substitute for insulating water pipes from the cold. Plumbers keep boxes of pipe insulation for water lines that could be exposed to freezing temperatures. They say water lines buried at least 18-inches in the ground rarely freeze in our area. But if they're exposed to a cold foundation wall or in a draft from outside air, there's a possibility of cracked pipes and big leaks. The pipes freeze, the water freezes, and the water pipes crack. Once the water defrosts, you will see the pipes leaking, you don’t know you have a problem until you have big-time water problems.

Older homes are more vulnerable to frozen pipes because of the plumbing that may not be insulated between the floor and the ground. Homeowners are also warned to remove hoses from foundation faucets that can cause split pipes during freezing temperatures.

Pipe insulation is easy to install is usually available at home improvement stores. If you have problems with frozen or cracked pipes this winter, contact Greater Boston Plumbing and Heating.

Prevent Frozen Water Pipes in Winter – Worcester, Boston

13 Nov 2013

A quarter-million families have their homes ruined and their lives disrupted every winter because of frozen water pipes. Cold nights can very quickly turn into ongoing, inconvenient, extremely expensive ordeals when your pipes freeze.

In cold climates pipes freeze for a combination of three reasons: quick drops in temperature, poor insulation, and thermostats set too low. Both plastic and copper pipes can burst when they freeze. A 1/8-inch crack in a pipe can spew up to 250 gallons of water a day, causing flooding, serious structural damage, and the immediate potential for mold.

However, this disaster is largely preventable. By taking a few simple precautions, you can help save yourself the mess, money, and aggravation frozen pipes cause.

There are a number of preventative steps you can take to keep your pipes from freezing. Here are a few simple tips:

Before The Cold

You can prepare by protecting your home during the warmer months. Here’s how:

  • Insulate pipes in your home's crawl spaces and attic. Exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing. Remember: The more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes will be.
  • Heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes. Be sure to use products approved by an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc., and only for the use intended (exterior or interior). Closely follow all manufacturers' installation and operation instructions.
  • Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents, and pipes, and use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out. With severe cold, even a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze.
  • Before winter hits, disconnect garden hoses and, if possible, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house.

Even if you’ve taken the right preventative steps, extreme weather conditions can still harm your pipes. Here are a few more steps you can take:

  • A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. Let warm water drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall.
  • Keep your thermostat set at the same temperature during both day and night. You might be in the habit of turning down the heat when you’re asleep, but further drops in the temperature could catch you off guard and freeze your pipes.
  • Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to un-insulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.

Before You Travel

  • Traveling in the winter months might be good for the soul, but don’t forget to think about your pipes before you leave. What can you do?
  • Set the thermostat in your house no lower than 55°F.
  • Ask a friend or neighbor to check your house daily to make sure it's warm enough to prevent freezing.
  • Shut off and drain the water system. Be aware that if you have a fire protection sprinkler system in your house, it may be deactivated when you shut off the water.

If Your Pipes Do Freeze

What do you do if your pipes still freeze, despite your best preventative measures? Don’t panic. Just because they’re frozen doesn’t mean that already you have burst pipes. Here’s what you can do:

  • If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber.
  • Do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water: You could be electrocuted.
  • Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame because it could cause a fire hazard. Water damage is preferable to burning down your house!
  • You may be able to thaw a frozen pipe with the warm air from a hair dryer. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, working toward the coldest section of pipe.
  • If your water pipes have burst, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve in the house; leave the water faucets turned on. Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shutoff valve is and how to open and close it.

For assistance if your pipes freeze or burst, contact Greater Boston Plumbing and Heating.

learningcenter.statefarm.com

Protect Your Plumbing and Heating System When You Go Away

29 Jan 2013

If you are leaving to go out of town during the February school break, take care of your heating system.

Winter is not the time when you want to find yourself with a heating or plumbing issue as a result of burst pipes.

When you leave your home:

Be sure that even the smallest holes in the exterior siding is insulated and covered around any water pipes that are on the inside of exterior walls.

Remember, frozen pipes are not just an inconvenience, families have had homes ruined every winter in Boston because of water pipes that freeze.

Water heaters, safety valves and washing machines that are located above the first floor or in a finished basement should have drain pains underneath them.

Know where your water meter shut off valves are located. More importantly, make sure that they work by turning them off and on a few times a year.

In the event that you find yourself without heat or with  a burst pipe this winter, you need a plumber you can trust. Contact Greater Boston Plumbing and Heating, you can be assured that your job is always done right the first time.


RECENT POSTS

ARCHIVE

TAGS