Unexpected Places That Your Pipes Can Freeze

Connecticut winters bring cold weather that can cause damage to many parts of your home. One potential problem that every Westport homeowner wants to avoid is frozen pipes. When water freezes, it expands, which can crack or even burst your pipers.

A single frozen pipe can cause major water leaks that can cost tens of thousands of dollars to restore. When a leak caused by burst pipe damage is small and unnoticed, it can be as bad as a big flood - or even worse. Small, long-term water leaks inside walls can rot the very structure of your home and allow dangerous, damaging mold to grow.

Even if you have had experience with frozen pipes in the past and know how to prepare the problem spots in your home, there are additional areas where your plumbing can freeze. In this article, we will explain four unexpected places that your pipes can freeze, and how to get help with water and mold damage at your Connecticut home.

Plumbing in Unheated Areas

Pipes located in non-heated or less heated locations in your home (garages, attics, sheds, crawl spaces, and basements) are prone to freezing because they are exposed to colder temperatures.

Sump Pumps and Sump Pump Hoses

Does your basement have a sump pump? Sump pumps collect water from your basement and pump it away from your home. During the winter, your sump pump discharge hose (which is located outside your home and often above ground) can freeze. A frozen, blocked discharge hose (or even ice in your sump pump itself) means that it won’t work properly and your basement could flood.

Outdoor Water Lines

Does your plumbing connect to any exterior lines like garden hoses, sprinkler systems, spigots, outdoor faucets or sinks, fountains or pool equipment? When the weather dips below freezing, the water inside your exterior hoses or plumbing can freeze, extending that freeze into the supply line that runs inside your home.

Frozen Gutters

When you think of your home plumbing system, you might not think of your gutters. However, they are a critical part of managing water on your property. If water can’t drain out of your gutters, it can freeze and ice can block the gutter, causing it to overflow. This allows water to seep into the foundation of your home and even flood your basement. To prevent your gutters from freezing, keep them clean so water can easily flow through and away from your home.

How to Get Help With Water And Mold Damage From Frozen Pipes

Ice takes up nearly 10% more space than the same amount of liquid water does. When the water in your plumbing freezes, the ice needs somewhere to go, and it’s stronger than your pipes. With careful preparation, a lot of frozen pipe problems can be avoided, but there are also issues like extreme weather and power outages that are out of your control.

If you are faced with water damage, it’s critical that you take fast action in order to avoid larger problems. Getting expert help with water damage restoration can prevent mold growth, and usually means you can restore more of your home, rather than having to take on the bigger project of replacing finishes, fixtures, and furniture.

At Riverside Restoration, we have expert, local teams that can respond 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. We are here to help Connecticut homeowners protect their family, property, and overall get life back to normal as quickly and easily as possible. If you are dealing with water or mold damage as a result of burst pipes, call us today to get help that you can count on.