Spotting the Signs of Frozen Pipes

At All Hours Plumbing, Drain Cleaning, Heating & Cooling, we’re here to help with all winter plumbing issues that may arise in your home. One of the most common issue during this time of year is frozen pipes, which our technicians can help reverse and prevent as necessary.

As a homeowner, you have a role to play as well here: Recognizing the possible signs of a frozen pipe issue. Here are several signs to keep in mind.

Temperature

The first thing to watch for? The temperature outside, which naturally goes down during the winter. When the temperature gets below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the possibility exists for pipes to freeze.

This is most common at night, when temperatures drop. Keep an eye on daily forecasts if you’ve had major pipe freezing issues in the past, and talk to a plumber about smart fixes if regular frozen pipes are an issue here.

Water Runoff Issues

If you turn on a faucet and see no water coming out, this could be a sign that your piping is frozen. If this is the case, check all the other faucets in your house to see which others might have issues and could be at risk for bursting if not addressed.

Sink Odors

Another possible sign here is a consistent odor that begins to come from your sink or faucet area. In most cases, this means there’s frozen water backing up your pipe. When water freezes fully into ice within a pipe, odors inside only have one way to go: Back up into your home. This can also happen with drains or any other area that includes piping and water in the home.

Frost Buildup

There are certain plumbing elements in your home that are naturally exposed, such as pipes in the basement or garage, or under your sinks. These pipes are great as barometers for frozen pipes – walk around regularly and check to see if there’s any visual frost on these pipes. If there is, it’s a good bet this frost is also present in other places you can’t see. If this is a regular problem in your home, consider insulation for your pipes.

For more on spotting the signs of frozen pipes, or to learn about any of our plumbing services, speak to the pros at All Hours Plumbing, Drain Cleaning, Heating & Cooling today.