Winters in Louisiana may not be as cold as in other parts of the country, but temperatures can still drop below freezing. This drop can create many problems if you allow your pipes to freeze. At the very least, frozen pipes could leave you without running water for a while. At the very worst, a frozen pipe could leak or even burst and cause serious water damage to your home. At Bobby L Greene Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Co., we can assist with our leak detection and repiping services, but there are things you can do to protect your pipes and keep them from freezing during the winter.
Insulate Your Pipes
Exposed pipes in your basement, garage, or crawlspace are the most vulnerable to freezing, so they should be a top priority as you prepare them for the winter. In most cases, protecting them is as simple as wrapping them in insulation. Pipe insulation is available at most hardware stores, and it is relatively inexpensive. Pick some up if you know a cold snap is on its way, and wrap it around your exposed pipes before it gets cold. If you can’t make it to a hardware store or can’t find any insulation, some old blankets or towels can do in a pinch. Wrap them around the exposed pipes and hold them in place with some duct tape or plumber’s tape. Since it rarely gets too cold in Louisiana, this should be enough to keep your pipes safe most of the time.
Winterize Your Outdoor Faucets
If you have faucets on the outside of your home, take some time to winterize them in the fall. Shut off the water to your outdoor spigots and open them to allow water to drain. These faucets are the most vulnerable to the cold because they are outside, so take care of this sooner rather than later, especially if you expect a colder winter season.
Open Indoor Faucets to a Trickle
If you think the weather is going to get particularly cold, turn some of your faucets in your bathroom or kitchen to a trickle. Flowing water is less likely to freeze, so even this small trickle could save your plumbing in the middle of winter. For best results, turn on the faucet farthest from your main water shutoff valve since this will keep the water flowing throughout your home. This may result in a slightly higher water bill, but it will still be less expensive than having to repair frozen pipes.
Don’t Turn Off Your Heat
You might be tempted to turn off your heat if you go on vacation during the winter, but that could be a bad idea if there is a cold snap while you’re gone. Instead of turning off your heat completely, lower it to just above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This adjustment will help keep your plumbing from freezing without driving up your utility bills too much. You also won’t have to worry about coming home to an unbearably cold home.
Open Your Cabinets
Opening the cabinets underneath your kitchen and bathroom sinks will expose the pipes in them to the warm air that is flowing through your house. If you’re away from home and have your thermostat set at 55 degrees, this should be enough to keep your pipes from freezing.
What to Do if Your Pipes Freeze
Even though these tips should be enough to keep your pipes from freezing during a Louisiana winter, you need to be prepared for the worst. The weather is unpredictable, and there’s always a chance that you could face an unusually cold winter season.
First of all, you need to know the signs of frozen plumbing. The clearest sign of frozen pipes is a lack of water when you try to use one or more of your faucets. You might get a small trickle, but it probably won’t be enough to be of any use to you. You might also detect a bad smell coming from your kitchen sink if the frozen water has trapped food particles or waste in your drain, and you might hear strange sounds such as banging or groaning when you try to use your faucets.
You can also take a look at any exposed pipes in your home to see if they have any visible frost or if they’re starting to bulge. Water expands as it freezes, which is why frozen pipes often leak or burst. Of course, this also means that you should be looking for leaks or signs of water damage.
If you have frozen pipes in your home, you need to take immediate action to thaw them out safely. First, find the main shutoff valve for your home. This is usually located in the basement, but it might also be in a concrete box just outside of the house. If the valve is located on the outside, you’ll need to open the box with a screwdriver or some other tool. You should be able to shut off the water without much trouble, but you might need a large crescent wrench if the handle is hard to turn. If you don’t know how to find your home’s shutoff valve or aren’t comfortable turning off the water yourself, contact Bobby L Greene Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Co. for assistance. We’ll be happy to help you find your shutoff valve and show you how it works.
Once the water is shut off and you’re not in danger of damaging your home too much more, it’s time to thaw out the frozen pipes. Space heaters and even hair dryers can help thaw frozen pipes. Do not use kerosene heaters, blow torches, or anything with an open flame for this job. While you’re at it, keep all heat sources away from flammable materials. The last thing you want is to start a fire while you’re trying to save your plumbing.
After you’ve thawed out your pipes, slowly turn your water back on. Turn your faucets on to a trickle to help melt any remaining ice, and keep an eye out for any cracks, leaks, and other signs of damage. Minor leaks aren’t always visible, so consult a plumbing professional if you suspect any problems or if you can’t find or can’t reach the frozen pipes.
Call Bobby L Greene Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Co. for Assistance
If you suspect that you have frozen pipes this winter or you have any other plumbing issues, don’t hesitate to contact Bobby L Greene Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Co. for assistance. We are a plumbing company that has served Bossier City, Shreveport, LA and the surrounding areas since 1959. Our licensed plumbers have years of experience providing leak detection and piping or repiping services to homes throughout the region, but we also provide sewer, HVAC, and water heater services to homes and businesses. We currently have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and we have earned the Readers’ Choice Award for being the best plumbing company in Shreveport.
To learn more about our plumbing services or to schedule service for your home or business, contact Bobby L Greene Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Co. in Shreveport today.
