Lights Out! How to Prevent Frozen Pipes During Power Outages in Toledo

You’re snuggling up with your family and watching holiday movies when suddenly… the power goes out! You scramble for flashlights, trip over the dog, soothe the little ones, and flicker the light switch a few times to confirm the outage. 

What now? You know not to open the fridge and grab blankets for the soon- to- drop home temperatures, but what does this have to do with your plumbing? Perhaps you won’t think of it initially, but if a power outage lasts long enough in freezing temperatures, your pipes could freeze without the heat of your home. 

Why are Frozen Pipes a Big Deal?

While you can hope a power outage will not last more than a few hours, multiple hour or few days power outages do happen, especially in rural areas. A good measure is if the power will be out for more than 4 or 5 hours in temperatures below freezing, then it’s time to initiate preventative measures.

When pipes freeze, they risk bursting due to the expansion of ice and pressure build-up, which can be expensive to fix not just the pipe, but possible flooding due to frozen pipes. 

Stop the Freeze!

One of the ways you can prevent frozen pipes when your home’s temperature is low is to insulate pipes before a power outage happens. Pipe insulation is easy and can be done with a roll duct tape and foam tubes. There are other methods, but the latter is likely the easiest for the DIY homeowner. 

Allow the tap to drip! If your power is going to be out for a while, open the tap of all your facets just enough to drip or gently trickle, but no more than that to avoid high water bills. Moving water is harder to freeze than stand-still water, so letting the tap drip buys you valuable time. 

Open cabinets where pipes are, such as in your kitchen or bathroom. This will allow warmer air to circulate to the pipes instead of allowing cold air to settle into the enclosed space. 

Spotting a Frozen Pipe

Signs of a frozen pipe include:

• Loss of water pressure or water flow
• Visible frost or condensation
• Bulging or cracks
• Slow drains

Thawing a Frozen Pipe

If you find frozen pipes in your home, don’t panic, it happens. Take a deep breath and wait until your power comes back on, unless damage is visible.

Once your power is back and you can access electricity and the pipe, you can begin to thaw your pipe. 

Find a heat source such as:

• A hair dryer
• A heating pad
• A space heater
• A towel soaked in hot water
• Heated pipe tape, which can be found at home improvement stores

DO NOT use sources of heat that use fuel meant to be used outside (like propane or gasoline) or any kind of flame or leave a heat source unattended. Be mindful of any flammable materials nearby when using any heat source. 

Start on a lower heat setting and increase incrementally, remember to keep any eye on your pipes and watch for damage due to freezing or your heating source.

Once you’ve made a little bit of progress on the pipe, open the taps, the running water will help thaw frozen pipes. Keep thawing until full water pressure is restored, and check your other pipes and faucets for signs of freezing. 

When do I need a licensed plumber?

• If you suspect a frozen pipe but cannot see/ access it or find that you are unable to thaw the pipe yourself.
• If you can see damage or bursting, even before power is back, turn off your water immediately and call a professional.
• If you see water dripping from the pipe during thawing, repair or replacement may be necessary.

Quick Facts!

• Exterior and outer wall facing pipes freeze quicker than interior ones
• The most commonly frozen pipes are in kitchens, bathrooms, basements, attics, and exterior walls
• While water freezes at 32℉ and colder, pipes risk freezing around 45℉
• If you’re going away and want to turn down your thermostat, make sure it’s no lower than 55℉ or you risk freezing pipes.

Our PLUMBERZ are licensed and  insured with fully stocked trucks ready to go for all of your plumbing needs. We have serviced thousands of homes and commercial buildings over the years, bringing the expertise needed to tackle even your worst plumbing troubles. Rain or shine, Z PLUMBERZ will answer the call with our in-house call center. Call or book online with us today for your commercial space or home!

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