Tricks to prevent pipes from freezing due to cold

How can we prevent water pipes from freezing due to low temperatures? The cold wave that affects much of Spain after the storm Filomena it has left many people without water these days. Therefore, we must be cautious and since the low temperatures will continue until the end of this week, it will not hurt to resort to simple tricks that we offer below, with which you will avoid a freezing of the pipes of your house or building.

Tricks to prevent pipes from freezing due to the cold snap

When winter arrives and the first cold spells, it is always good to prevent, although later we do not have to suffer its consequences on our pipes, but Filomena’s ravages may have caught you by surprise and you want to put quick remedy to the still existing risk of pipes freezing up. Don’t worry because you have tricks at your fingertips as they are easy to apply and In the event that your pipes have already frozen, we give you some keys so that you can defrost them sooner.

Empty outdoor water pipes or cover them

Pipes located in unheated or uninsulated areas pose a higher risk of freezing. Before winter comes, it will be good to close and empty the outside pipes. But in the event that you have not had time, it can always be a good idea to cover or insulate them to avoid the cold. One of the quickest remedies in this regard will be cover the pipes that are outside with cardboard.

Keep the house warm

Inside the house, it is important keep the temperature above 21 ° C, andEspecially during the extreme cold that will be on days like this week. Many of us lower the temperature at night to save energy, but it is best not to do so if we are experiencing a cold snap and want to prevent the pipes from freezing. This will save you the costly repairs resulting from the damage caused by water when it freezes and accumulates in the pipe to the point of breaking it and the need to file a claim with your insurer.

Leave a tap running

As the water freezes, it expands, which can cause the pipes to explode. However, water freezes harder when in motion. When the cold weather rages, let a cold water faucet drip weakly (ideally the bathroom). If you notice a decrease in water pressure, it is a sign that your pipes are starting to freeze.

Leave the doors inside the house open and the garage door closed.

To ensure that heat circulates freely, Leave the bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom doors open. And if you have a garage and some pipes pass through it, it will be good to keep the garage doors closed to prevent the cold from entering and with it, the pipes from freezing.

Insulate the pipes

This is already a “trick” for which we may need the services of a professional, but you should know that insulate pipes in unheated areas of the house, such as basements, garages and attics can help us reduce heat loss and prevent the water from freezing when the temperature drops. It can also help reduce your heating costs. In many DIY stores they sell specific insulation for pipes, such as shells or corrugated pipes, but in case we do not know how they are put, we repeat that it may be a better option, contact a professional.

How to defrost pipes that are already frozen

Despite your best efforts, your pipes can freeze during an intense cold snap like the one we are experiencing.. If you turn on the taps and only a trickle of water comes out of them, or the water pressure drops suddenly, a pipe may be frozen. This is what you should do:

• Close the main water inlet;
• Heat the frozen pipe with a hair dryer, a heating pad or portable heater. Don’t use a torch, as it could damage the plastic pipes or cause a fire;
• If you can’t reach the frozen pipe, or if you cannot defrost it, call a professional authorized;
• Leave the nearest faucet open while treating a frozen pipe. As it thaws, the water will begin to flow;
• Check the other taps from the house: if one of your pipes has frozen, others could suffer the same fate;
• Before re-opening the water inlet, check if other pipes have been damaged; when in doubt, call a plumber – it is better to spend a little money to make sure everything is fine than to risk major damage to your home;
• And if unfortunately andyou have water damage, do not hesitate to call your insurer.