The reason for pipes freezing during the winter is not just because ice freezes inside them, it results in ice blockage and a closed faucet that often leads to a pipe burst. After there is a complete ice blockage in a pipe, continued freezing and expansion within the pipe causes water pressure to rise downstream. There could be little or no ice in the pipe for it to burst, it is usually caused by the increase of water pressure.

The most common pipes to freeze around a home are outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, and water sprinkler lines. Pipes with water supply in unheated interior areas like basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets are also prone to frozen pipes.

Here are some helpful tips to prevent freezing of these water supply lines and pipes around your home:

• Empty the water from swimming pool & water sprinkler supply lines
• Remove, drain, & store hoses used outdoors
• Insulate the walls in your home to keep the pipes from freezing
• When pipes are below a sink, keep those cabinet doors open to let warm air to reach pipes
• Let cold water drip slowly from the faucet served by exposed pipes

If you encounter frozen pipes in your home this winter, call Peniel Environmental for water damage to resolve the problem!