When the cold winter season sets in, it can affect many parts of your home. While winters in Lafayette, LA, are typically mild, sudden cold snaps—like the 2021 winter storm—can cause serious issues for plumbing systems that aren’t prepared. Fortunately, there are many great tactics you can employ to prevent this catastrophe from happening.

The Problem With Water Freezing in Your Pipes

At first, it may not seem like a huge deal that water in your pipes may freeze up. When your pipes freeze, you won't have any fresh water in your home for things like drinking, bathing, and even cleaning. However, the problems don't stop there. As water turns into ice, it will expand in size.

This can cause the frozen water inside your piping to push outward on the piping itself. This can lead to pipe distortion, which will weaken its structural integrity. In severe cases, it can also lead to cracking the pipe due to pressure buildup from the ice blockage. Once the ice thaws out, your piping may start to leak water all over the place. Water damage can be very costly to repair.

The Most Susceptible Water Lines

While any water line is susceptible to freezing in extremely low temperatures, certain areas in Lafayette homes are particularly at risk. Many homes in the region have exposed pipes under raised foundations, making them vulnerable to temperature drops. Older homes with aging plumbing are also more prone to cracks and leaks when pipes freeze and thaw.

If your home has water lines that run through unheated spaces, such as the attic, crawlspace, or garage, they are at a higher risk of freezing during winter. Similarly, water lines that run against exterior walls, especially in poorly insulated areas, are also at high risk of freezing. Therefore, it's very important to implement the tactics below to prevent your pipes from freezing this winter.

Use Insulation

When you think of insulation, you may picture the insulation in your attic. However, your plumbing system could use some insulation as well. This is typically in the form of a black Styrofoam sleeve that slides directly over the pipe. The concept of using insulation is that it helps slow down heat loss, keeping the water in your plumbing lines warmer for longer. However, insulation alone is not always enough to prevent freezing, so it should be combined with other protective measures.

Keep Your Heat On

While running your heating system during the winter can be a bit costly, it's actually one of the best methods for preventing frozen piping. If you want to turn your heating system off because you won't be home, try turning the thermostat down instead. Aim for a temperature setting of at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If you plan to be away for an extended period, consider shutting off and draining your water supply to further prevent freezing.

Turn Off Outside Lines

If you have water lines that run to the outdoors, they're at a much higher likelihood of freezing. These could be water lines for hoses or even irrigation systems. It's best to shut off the water supply running to these lines and actually drain the lines. If there isn't a drain, be sure to open the faucet for the outside fixture. This will ensure that the water has room to expand when it freezes. Alternatively, you can use a frost-free outdoor faucet, but proper installation is key to ensuring they function correctly.

Heat-Exposed Lines

It isn't uncommon to have water lines in areas that are exposed to the outdoor temperature. For example, you may have a water supply line running to the sink in your garage. If you don't want to turn off the water and drain the pipe, you can always choose to heat it instead.

Heating cables are a popular favorite among homeowners to ensure that pipes don't freeze. These cables have internal thermostats that read the temperature and activate the heat when temperatures near freezing. Always use UL-listed heat cables and follow manufacturer instructions to avoid fire hazards. You can also opt for using a small space heater in that location of your piping to keep the air above freezing.

Open Cabinets and Drip Your Water

When any major cold spells are planned, it can be helpful to take a couple of extra steps to prevent your pipes from freezing. First, open up any confined area that adequate heat may struggle to get into, such as under your bathroom or kitchen sink. Also, turn the faucet that's the furthest away from your main water supply line on. Just a slight drip is all that's needed. By keeping the water inside the water line moving, it's going to be much harder to freeze than water that's sitting still.

How to Handle a Frozen Pipe

Unfortunately, you may experience a frozen pipe or two over your lifetime. Knowing how to respond correctly will give you the best chance of minimizing any damage from happening to your home and belongings. The first step to take is to shut off the water. If there is only a small section of piping that's frozen, you may turn off whatever valve is closest to that section of piping. If you have multiple frozen areas of piping, you'll want to shut off your main water supply valve. This will help to prevent a massive amount of water from leaking out of your piping if it has a crack in it.

Next, do a visible inspection of the pipe for any damage. Use a flashlight and run your hand along the piping so that you can feel for any potential damage. If there is damage, be sure to put a bucket or other catch basin under that section of piping to catch leaking water as the pipe thaws out. Additionally, be sure to turn on the faucet further down the piping line to give the excess water somewhere to go as it thaws out.

You can either wait for the pipe to naturally thaw out or you can apply heat to speed up the process. If you want to apply heat, do so in a gentle manner. Avoid anything with an open flame, like a butane torch. Instead, use a blow dryer or a heat gun. The idea is to heat the pipe gradually to avoid thermal shock, which could weaken the pipe. Take your time to ensure the utmost safety throughout the entire process. If you have damage to your piping, be sure to call one of our plumbing professionals to fix it promptly.

If you have multiple areas of frozen piping, it's a good idea to get a professional plumbing inspection. This will help to detect any potential plumbing leaks that may be in hidden areas of your home.

Reliable Plumbing Repair Service in Lafayette, LA

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® offers reliable emergency plumbing repair services for the Lafayette, LA community. Our local plumbers understand the unique challenges of Louisiana homes and provide expert solutions for frozen pipes and winter plumbing issues. Dealing with a frozen pipe? Contact our team today!