California has a reputation for sunny weather most of the year. But it’s a big state, and parts of it actually get quite cold. Some parts of the state even get snow. When the temperatures drop that low, you could get more than a winter wonderland. You could have a plumbing disaster on your hands.
Cold weather is actually a threat to your pipes and your home. Here’s what you need to know:
Freezing Weather Can Freeze Pipes
Water can freeze at just 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Just because the temperature outside falls below that level doesn’t mean that the water in your pipes will freeze though. Many variables contribute to whether the water will freeze. In addition, the temperature inside your pipes – which may be further insulated inside your home – may not be as low as the temperature outside.
If the water in your pipes does freeze, it can cause a big problem though. Water expands when it freezes, and there isn’t much place to go inside a plumbing pipe. If there isn’t enough room, the ice can actually create enough pressure to cause the pipe to burst, which can cause water from the main supply to dump all over your house.
Water damage can cause havoc on your home and your budget. Replacing floors, carpets, walls, furniture, and more is not cheap. Neither is cleaning up mold and mildew or replacing appliances. The bigger the accident from the freezing pipes, the more extensive (and expensive) the damage is likely to be.
Even if your pipes burst and all you get is some ice in your crawl space, you’ll still be looking at the cost of replacing that section of plumbing, which can be quite steep.
Preventing Frozen Pipes
Fortunately, there are many things you can do to keep your pipes from freezing, even when the temperatures outside reach their lowest. To start, you can insulate your pipes to keep the water temperature inside higher than what it is outside. You can do this by adding foam sleeves to the pipes, which you can do yourself or you can hire a plumber to do. Or you can insulate the pipes by insulating the area that they are in, such as your garage, basement, or attic.
You can also keep your pipes from freezing by allowing the faucet to drip slowly. The running water is less likely to freeze. To protect your outside plumbing, you can drain water from your pool, hose, or other items. Do not put antifreeze in them! Antifreeze is dangerous for the environment and your family.
Finally, you can protect your pipes by keeping the temperature in your home stable. If you must turn down the temperature – such as if you are going away on vacation – be sure that it remains at 55 degrees at a minimum.
Repiping Your Home
With advances in plumbing, you may not have to take any of these steps to keep your pipes from freezing. PEX piping is resistant to freezing or to cracking, so you are less likely to have any troubles if your home is piped with it. PEX piping is also flexible, so it can be routed through small spaces, around tight corners, and more without any trouble. These properties also make it easier to install, which makes it less expensive than some other types of plumbing.
If you are having a lot of problems with your plumbing, you may want to consider repiping. The cost of replacing your plumbing with the appropriate materials will be far less than the cost of continuing to repair your pipes because they have frozen and burst.
Integrity Repipe can help you repipe your home to get the best performance from your plumbing and to protect it from damage. We are specialists in PEX piping, but we also install other kinds of plumbing. We can repipe your home with the best materials for your needs, or we can repair parts of your plumbing if your pipes have burst or you have suffered some other calamity. Our goal is to ensure that you have a high-performing and healthy plumbing system. Contact us today to learn more about your repiping options.
Published by – Integrity Repipe Inc
Integrity Repipe Inc – Mission Viejo, CA
27281 Las Ramblas, Suite 200
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Phone: 877-473-7473
Website: integrityrepipe.com
Integrity Repipe Inc – San Clemente, CA
927 Calle Negocio Suite O
San Clemente, CA 92673
Phone: 949-397-2404
Website: integrityrepipe.com/san-clemente
Integrity Repipe Inc – Long Beach, CA
2201 N Lakewood Blvd, Ste D #297
Long Beach, CA 90815
Phone: 562-362-5040
Website: integrityrepipe.com/long-beach
Integrity Repipe Inc – Chula Vista, CA
591 Telegraph Canyon Road
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Phone: 619-313-5744
Website: integrityrepipe.com/chula-vista
Integrity Repipe Inc – Ladera Ranch, CA
27762 Antonio Parkway L1
Ladera Ranch, CA 92694
Phone: 949-397-2795
Website: integrityrepipe.com/ladera-ranch
Integrity Repipe Inc – Lakeside, CA
8337 Winter Gardens Boulevard
Lakeside, CA 92040
Phone: 619-494-3507
Website: integrityrepipe.com/lakeside
Integrity Repipe Inc – Aliso Viejo, CA
27068 La Paz Rd #771
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
Phone: 949-449-1142
Website: integrityrepiping.com/aliso-viejo-repipe-copper-pex-ca
Integrity Repipe Inc – Oceanside, CA
1759 Oceanside Blvd C,
Oceanside, CA 92054
Phone: 442-300-3057
Website: integrityrepiping.com/oceanside-repipe-copper-pex
Integrity Repipe Inc – Porter Ranch, CA
19360 Rinaldi
Porter Ranch, CA 91326
Phone: 818-630-9265
Website: integrityrepiping.com/porter-ranch/