Broken Pipes Coming? – by Whitman Parker
With temperatures here in the Jacksonville area well below freezing for the past 96+ hours, be prepared for the possibility of broken water pipes when it warms-up in the next 24-48 hours. According to my plumber, once things start thawing-out, that’s when broken pipes will become an issue. The reason is that ice formed now on/in your pipes acts like “glue” and can actually hold pipes together. Once that “glue” melts, water line cracks and breaks will then allow pressurized water to escape – like a gusher. Trust me, I had a major pipe break three years ago that turned my garage into a messy pond of water, drywall and insulation.
Tip #1: know where your water supply line shut-off valve is located and how to turn it OFF. Don’t wait, go find it NOW and let others in your household know, too. If you have a well and pump house, label shut-off valves so those unfamiliar with your system can assist in case you are not home during an emergency.
Tip #2: let faucets inside your house drip/trickle night and day. Though it might waste a bit of water, it pales in comparison to the amount of water you’ll waste with a broken pipe. Trust me, the cost of dripping/trickling water is insignificant compared to plumbing and drywall repair costs. If you want to conserve the water, place a bucket or watering can under the faucet (in the sink) and water your plants!
Tip #3: open cabinet doors under your sinks to allow warmer air to circulate and reach exposed pipes – especially for water sources located on exterior walls. Caution: if you have toxic chemicals/cleaners in those cabinets or other potentially harmful stuff, keep it away from pets and kids.
Tip #4: Throughout the day and night, flush toilets occasionally and fully open your indoor water faucets and let them run for a bit. This keeps water moving and helps prevent ice blockages from forming in the first place.
Just had Spring Air out and we had a problem with the furnace condensation pipe that exits outside. At the outside exit it had frozen solid backing water up into the furnace in our attic. The furnace would not work with that backup. They fixed they problem and the house temp has gone up to 68 from 54. If your furnace stops you might check the condensation outlet. Heating it with a hair dryer might solve the problem. If you can’t our local HVAC guys from Spring Air will fix it.