Frozen Pipes

 
Why Does a Plumbing System Freeze?
Plumbing systems are susceptible to freezing which can cause significant damage to your home when the pipes burst after thawing. For people new to plumbing systems it is hard to understand why this happens. After all, hot water is produced by the water boiler and distributed through pipes throughout the home.
When the cycle is completed and the water is returned to the boiler area, it is reheated to near boiling temperatures and redistributed through the loop.
Since hot water is flowing through the pipes the question remains how pipes can freeze and how they can be prevented from freezing, which will be the focus of this article.
Why Does a Plumbing System Freeze?
All of this is true; pipes should not freeze under normal working conditions. Usually a weakness in the system leads to the freezing of pipes. Often this is due to a blown circulator pump that doesn’t distribute hot water properly throughout the system.
Other times other factors can lead to the problem. Many homes use radiators that are an older technology when compared to baseboard heating. Radiators need to be bled by releasing air that gets trapped in the pipes. When air is trapped it may lead to air pockets that stop the functioning of hot water through the system. When this occurs, the pipes can freeze and the hot water becomes trapped.
Other factors can play a part. Some pipes travel through unheated garages or other rooms that are not properly insulated. On days when the system is unusually cold the pipes can freeze and trap water in them. When the pipes thaw, they burst and lead to flooding and other home problems.
How Can I Prevent The Pipes from Freezing?
To start with, it is a good idea to have your plumbing system inspected on an annual basis to make sure it is in good working condition. The different components are tested to make sure they are not in need of replacement and can last through the season. In addition, the pipes are bled through radiators to release air that can be trapped in the system.
Finally, they should check to see that any exposed pipes are insulated and consideration should be made to reroute pipes through heated rooms that reduces the chance for them to freeze.
Why is this Important?
Keeping your heating pipes from freezing is essential as the damage that can be done from broken pipes can be significant to your home and can even damage your electrical units and leave your home susceptible to fire. Make sure you take steps to keep your plumbing system in proper working condition at all times.

Are your pipes possibly frozen in your Arlington home? Give The Plumbing Dr. a Call at (703) 525-9280, in order to figure out why your water isn’t working properly.