Can Freezing Weather Damage My Water Line?

How Does Freezing Weather Affect Your Water Line?

Water has a unique property. When it is in liquid form, it takes the shape of the object it is in; however, when it freezes, it starts to expand. In a closed environment like a water line, this expansion puts too much pressure on the point where it is damaging. The water in water lines often freezes because the pipes are exposed to severe cold, like in swimming pools and water sprinklers, or in unheated areas indoors, like garages and basements. If the pipes aren’t insulated, the expanding water can even cause minor damage to major ones, like pipe bursts. Let’s discover some signs of damaged water lines in the following section.

Common Signs of a Damaged Water Line

• Wet Areas Around The Facility: One of the biggest signs of hidden water line damage is seeing wet areas around the facility. This is often a typical indication that there is a water leak in the area. These wet areas can be seen indoors, like your bathrooms and sinks, or outdoors, like an outside hosepipe and sprinklers.
• Rusty or Bad-Smelling Water: When a water line gets damaged, the underground dirt or debris can seep into the damaged area of the pipe, contaminating it and causing it to smell bad. Seeing dirty water that smells foul often needs to be examined. Noticing a reddish-brown color can also indicate rust formation.
• Sudden Drop in the Water Pressure: If you are noticing a sudden water pressure problem in your home, such an issue can often be a result of water line damage.
• Unexplained Spikes in the Water Bill: Check your water utility bill. Do you notice unexplained spikes in the bill? Seeing a sudden spike often means there is a small leak that is often unnoticeable to the naked eye. Call a plumbing service today to learn more.

How to Prevent Your Water Line from Freezing

Preventing water lines from freezing has simple to major precautions. Simple precautions include keeping the environment warm and doors closed to avoid the cold freezing water. This advice is especially true for your garage doors and basements. You can also keep the thermostat set to a fixed temperature to ensure the pipes aren’t faced with the risk of bursts or other costly repairs in the future. Some other ways to take precautions for this matter include insulating the pipes to ensure the cold doesn’t affect the water inside. Call a professional plumber in Brookhaven, WV today to learn more.

Mr. Rooter Plumbing

Are you looking for professionals to help with your water line damage? At Mr. Rooter Plumbing, we are your locally owned and operated plumbing company. With our experienced staff, affordable price plans, and exceptional customer service, water line replacement has never been easier. Call us today to learn more about us and our services.