Winter is officially in full swing! Homeowners throughout the Greater Indianapolis area are at high risk for a variety of plumbing problems during the colder months, including frozen and burst pipes. Frozen pipes can be a major inconvenience and can cause serious damage to your home if not dealt with promptly. 

Why are frozen pipes a problem?

Water expands as it freezes, and this expansion can cause pipes to burst, leading to costly repairs and water damage. However, proper preventative measures can ensure your winter season is full of fun instead of late-night calls to your local plumber. 

Here are some tips on how to prevent the pipes in your Indianapolis home from freezing: 

  1. Seal your crawl space. A well-sealed crawl space will keep your home warmer and reduce the likelihood of frozen pipes. If you can, insulate your crawl space as well for extra protection. 
  2. Keep your fans on. This will help to prevent your pipes from bursting, as a consistent temperature is less likely to cause them to contract and expand. 
  3. Keep the space around your pipes warm. Exposed pipes are more likely to freeze, so consider wrapping them in insulation or installing heat tape to keep them warm. 
  4. Add insulation to drafty parts of your home. As soon as you notice cold air seeping in, insulate right away! Decreasing the cold air flowing through your home is the best way to keep water flowing. 
  5. If you have plumbing running through your garage, keep your garage doors closed. Excess exposure to cold temperatures will cause water to freeze. 
  6. Let water trickle lightly out of your faucets. Sinks on exterior western or northern walls need a slight trickle of water to help fight against freezing. You should also open your cabinet doors to allow warm air to reach your pipes. 
  7. Disconnect your garden hoses and shut off the water supply to any outdoor faucets. This will help to prevent water from freezing in these areas of the home. 
  8. If you are going to be away from home for an extended period of time, leave your heat on and set to a low temperature. Consistent heat will ensure your pipes do not freeze while you’re away. 

By following these tips, you can help to prevent your pipes from freezing and protect your home from costly water damage.

Are your pipes already frozen? 

Don’t panic! If your pipes do freeze, it is important to call for help from an emergency plumber right away. A reliable plumber is properly trained on how to handle serious water emergencies and will know exactly how to safely thaw out your pipes and get your water flowing again. While you wait for your plumber to arrive, turn off the water supply to the affected pipe to ensure no further damage occurs.  

With more than 30 years of professional experience serving families throughout the Greater Indianapolis area, our team at Justin Dorsey Plumbing knows a thing or two about frozen pipes and we’re here to help! We are proud to serve the Indianapolis, Plainfield, Brownsburg and Avon areas 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

We’ll send a team out to you as quickly as possible to conduct a thorough inspection and ensure your pipes are operating safely and efficiently — with NO after-hours fees! Call 317-648-2140 or Contact Us through our website today!