How To Fix Frozen Pipes

How To Fix Frozen Pipes

Although summer seemed to last forever and our drought this year made the temperatures seem even more sweltering, winter has finally arrived. We’re starting to see some temperatures dip below freezing here in Cherokee County, and although for some of us its a welcome change, it also poses some plumbing risks. Now that traditional winter temperatures and conditions are starting to show up, that may mean that your home may be at risk for frozen pipes! 

frozen pipes

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The ideal situation is to prevent your pipes from freezing. Here are a few easy steps you can take to try and prevent your pipes from freezing-

  1. Insulate any pipes exposed to cooler air. This can include pipes that run outside your home, in your basement, or in your attic.
  2. Use an insulating dome to cover outdoor faucets and spigots.
  3. Let your indoor faucets drip. This can reduce pressure in the pipes, which drastically lowers your chance of your pipes bursting.

frozen pipes

Although these prevention measures can greatly reduce your risk of frozen pipes in your home, these steps are not fool proof! Sometimes mother nature (and your home!) have others plans. In case your pipes DO freeze, here are some steps you can take to fix your frozen pipes and prevent damage to your home.

Fix frozen pipes-

  1. Even if your pipes have frozen, keep your indoor faucets open. Once the pipes do begin to melt, allowing water to flow out of the faucets will reduce pressure in the pipes and allow them to melt more quickly.
  2. If you know the location of your frozen pipes, you can help speed up the melting process by applying heat with an electric heating pad applied to the pipes or by aiming an electric hair dryer at the pipes.
  3. Use an electric space heater aimed at the frozen pipes. Remember, if you choose to do this, do not leave the space heater unattended and keep it away from anything flammable.
  4. If you don’t know where your frozen pipes are or believe you may be at risk of damage to your home, call a professional plumber immediately!

For help with your frozen pipes or any other plumbing emergency this winter, call the trusted experts at Masterflo Plumbing at (678) 822-7095 or send us an email! No matter what the weather is like outside, we’re on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Winterize Your Home

Winterize Your Home

We’re a week into November, and for those of us in Georgia, we’ve had some mild temperatures so far! Don’t be fooled, though! December, January, and February are just around the corner. January and February are traditionally the harshest of the winter months and can bring freezing rain, sleet, ice, and snow. Getting your home prepared for winter is important for the safety and comfort of you and your family! Knowing how to winterize your home is important, even in the south! Learn how to winterize your home and get started early so that you can rest easy during the winter months! 

winterize your home

Follow our winter home prep checklist to learn how to winterize your home and make sure that you, your family, and your friends stay safe and warm this winter!

  • Invest in a new door mat. During the course of the year, your doormat can get worn down and is no longer functional. A new door mat will encourage guests to wipe their feet and will help to reduce slips and falls.
  • Stock up on outdoor supplies. Make sure you have a snow shovel, and an ample supply of salt or sand BEFORE winter weather hits. If you wait till harsh weather hits your area, stores are likely to sell out of the supplies you need.
  • Pay attention to your home’s humidity. Dry air that occurs in your home during the winter can be damaging to your health and the health of your children. Consider purchasing a humidifier if you don’t already have one. If you do, make sure its clean and ready to be used.
  • Get your fireplace professionally cleaned. If you have a fireplace that you plan to use to heat your home during the winter, make sure you have a professional chimney sweep clean it for you first! This small step can drastically reduce your risk of having your home catch on fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Clean your gutters and downspouts. Having your gutters cleaned before winter weather hits will keep that winter precipitation flowing and can prevent clogged gutters. Clogged gutters can eventually lead to siding damage, gutter corrosion, and foundation damage.
  • Fix all the leaks in your home. If you’ve got a leaky roof, a drafty window seal, or worn out weather stripping on a door, now is the time to fix all those leaks! Fixing all those holes can help keep you warm and will cut down on your winter utility bills.

Know how to winterize your home and follow these tips to help keep you safe and warm this winter! For any winter plumbing emergencies, make sure to contact Masterflo Plumbing today at (678) 822-7095!