Prevent a Burst Pipe in Your Home

When winter arrives and the temperatures drop, one of the biggest problems is pipes freezing and bursting. When this happens, extensive water damage can occur that almost always costs thousands of dollars to repair.

However, there are many things that can be done that allow Naperville homeowners to avoid dealing with these huge plumbing problems.

By contacting a plumber and having them conduct a thorough inspection of the home’s plumbing system, it’s possible to get through the winter months without facing the inconvenience and high repair bills that go along with burst pipes.

Looking for Leaks

When a plumber inspects a home’s plumbing system, one of the most important things they are looking for is any leaks in pipes.

A common problem in older Naperville homes where the pipes have not been touched for decades, leaks can occur in pipes that have been left exposed to cold temperatures.

When this happens, the water inside the pipes can expand and contract constantly, which puts added strain on the pipes. As a result, pipes can crack or begin to rust prematurely, which results in extensive damage to a home’s basement or foundation.

Seal Cold Air Leaks

One of the primary reasons pipes freeze and burst is due to cold air leaks located near them. Because the cold air leaks are often located in places such as garages, attics, basements, or crawlspaces, people often pay no attention to them.

However, when this is the case, the cold air keeps the pipes much colder than normal and causes them to freeze and burst. Plumbers can inspect a home for any cold air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents, and pipes and then seal them using caulk or insulation.

By doing so, temperatures can often increase by as much as 20 degrees around pipes, which is more than adequate to keep them from freezing.

Disconnect Hoses from Outside Faucets

When garden hoses are left connected to outside faucets over the winter, the water in them has nowhere to go and instead freezes in the faucet and pipes connecting it to the inside of the home.

If these pipes burst, major water damage can occur inside the walls of the basement and foundation, leading to high repair bills. By disconnecting hoses prior to cold weather, any water left in the faucets can drain out and keep the faucet from breaking due to a pressure buildup from frozen pipes.

Avoid a costly pipe burst with these key tips! Call Jim Wagner at (630) 577-9341 for repairs in your Naperville, IL home.