Frozen Pipes and Their Warning Signs
The winter season can make life challenging, as the cold temperatures and heavy snowfall can make going out difficult. It can make it challenging to get your car started. A house provides you with a cozy and comfortable space to sleep in each night and ensures your safety from the elements. The winter weather can create numerous problems within your Ottawa home if you’re not prepared enough for it. The riskiest awful thing that could befall the structure of your house is freezing pipes. A frozen pipe could cause thousands of dollars of damage and cause you to be in a puddle of water that’s swollen to your knees if it happens on a cold winter day.
There are, however, some warning signs you can be on the lookout for, along with some preventative measures you can implement to safeguard your property and home from harm during the holiday season.
Warning Afflictions of Frozen Pipes
It is essential to identify frozen pipes before they freeze. In the majority of cases, you’ll be able to raise the temperature on your thermostat or speak to an expert plumber before damage happens. However, it is essential to be aware of the warning signs for frozen pipes to ensure that you can act.
No Water
The most obvious indication that you’ve got frozen pipes is the complete absence of water flowing from your faucets or fixtures. It means that the water flowing through your supply lines becomes frozen. There may be some trace of water in certain instances because of the partial freezing.
Drainage Smells
Another indication that your pipes are frozen is when you smell the odor of rotten food coming through your drainage. It could affect multiple drains simultaneously, although only one drain may be affected.
The water flowing through the drain pipes will eventually freeze, as ice can stop any odors emanating from grease, food, and other waste you flush. The smell will then linger in the space where the frozen pipe is connected.
It’s a typical plumbing issue that may result from common blockages. If you smell foul in the winter months, frozen pipes tend to cause.
Visible Frost
Another sign that is quite common of a frozen pipeline that is harder to detect is frozen pipes themselves. It is only possible to determine whether this is the case when you have an access point to the line.
If you’ve exposed pipes and are unsure which ones have frozen is vital. It will allow you to remove the ice on the lines and make proactive changes to your plumbing or insulation to avoid further freezing.
Water Damage
The final and most significant evidence that your home is suffering from frozen pipes is if you notice indications of water damage inside your house. A ruptured pipe could let a lot of water enter your home; therefore, any sign of water damage or flooding could be due to frozen pipes.
In reality, sometimes frozen pipes may only suffer minor structural damage. If that’s the case, the leak is likely to be less significant. You might not detect a leak as quickly immediately, mainly if the leak is located behind your walls or in the principal spaces of your home.
The warning signs for hidden water damage to your home could be:
- Paint that is bubbling or peeling
- The solid and musty smells that are often related to mold
- Stains look like dirt and can be black green, or orange.
- Sound of running water
- Damage to the structural structure (sagging and collapsing) of ceilings and walls
It is advisable to call a plumber if you experience any of the above issues or even a few of them.
If you have frozen pipes or any other plumbing issues, please don’t hesitate to contact Ottawa Plumbing Services at (613) 317-1682 or info@ottawaplumbingservice.com. Our highly skilled team of plumbers can answer any questions you might have and help you resolve the issue fast.
