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Frozen Pipe Repair

Preventing Frozen Pipes in Virginia BeachTitle

 Living in the southern region, we sometimes forget about the icy temperatures that occasionally come our way. Recently, a polar vortex has descended upon our region in Southampton Roads, and we are experiencing extremely cold temperatures. Before, we thought of frozen pipes as something only northerners need to worry about in their frigid climate. The truth is, however, that northerners have houses with plumbing systems designed for the cold seasons, and southerners like us do not.

Prevent Frozen Pipes Virginia Beach, because burst pipes can cause lots of damage, demanding your attention. This entire area is more exposed to the cold temperatures and our piping runs the risk of bursting when icy weather comes our way. Never fear, because there are ways to prevent this Virginia Beach plumbing emergency from happening. Follow the steps below to prevent frozen pipes before they cause disaster.
How To Prevent Frozen Pipes in Virginia Beach
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Identify vulnerable parts of the plumbing system.

The first step to prevent frozen pipes, as any plumber Virginia Beach will tell you is to find the appropriate pipes. Pipes that run along your home’s exterior walls or in your garage are vulnerable to the cold temperatures, and therefore, have a higher risk of freezing. Any pipes that run along a crawl space or in the attic are also exposed to cold temperatures and run the risk of freezing. Identify holes in the walls where wiring enters the home and allows cold air to come in.

Install insulation around the pipes.

Home improvement stores sell insulation that fold around the pipes and create a snug fit called pipe or plumbing insulation Virginia Beach. If you aren’t a do-it-yourselfer you can have a plumber install pipe insulation for you. In addition to pipe insulation, you can install fiberglass insulation in the walls around the plumbing, such as in a garage to minimize the chill and keep pipes from getting severely cold. Make sure to insulate well where the main water supply is fed to the house as the water there is typically very cold. All of this insulating will help to prevent frozen pipes. This is one of the best ways to prevent frozen pipes Virginia Beach.

Run Water Frequently

The longer water sits in the pipes the more likely it is to freeze. Pipes that are stagnant can create ice blockages. If the temperature is 20 degrees or below and you are home, let your faucets drip. If you are vacationing during the winter and you have someone stopping by to feed the pets, ask them to run your water to help prevent frozen pipes. It’s a simple favor that can prevent coming home to burst pipes and a huge mess. This is another often-overlooked bit of advice that will prevent frozen pipes Virginia Beach.

If you open up your faucet during or after low temperatures have hovered in the region, and nothing comes out call a Virginia Beach plumber immediately. You don’t want to take chances. If a pipe should burst, go to your main shut-off valve, generally next to your water meter, and turn the water off. Leave your faucets open and call a plumber.

For more ways to prevent frozen pipes click here. 
Contact A-1 American today to if you are experiencing frozen pipes. We have offices throughout the Hampton Roads region, including Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Williamsburg, Hampton and Newport News!