Frozen Water Pipes

homealone · #1 01-08-2011, 04:51 PM

One thing that many people deal with at this time of the year when the weather is so cold are water pipes that freeze up and break.

This can seriously cost a whole lot of money if the problem isn't delt with right away.

Here is a video that expains better what can happen if your water pipes break.

You Tube

A neighbor of my parents were away from their home for a few days while the man of the house was hospitalized and while they were gone their pipes busted and by the time it was discovered and the water shut off, the floors of their bedroom, bathroom, hallway, living room and spare room all had to be torn out and completely replaced. It really doesn't take much time for water to cause a lot of damage.

So before it is to late make sure that your pipes are wrapped with insulation, heat tape or something along those lines to make sure this doesn't happen to you!!

badmomma · #2 01-08-2011, 05:44 PM

I found a nice video that shows you how to properly put on the fiberglass pipe insulation. Doing this correctly the first time will save you lots of money and time later.

You Tube

Heat tape is nice but if you have everything insulated properly you shouldn't run into alot of problems. Keeping your heat on is essential it may cost you a few bucks to do so but it is way cheaper than the damages caused from broken water pipes.

flip_it_fast · #3 01-09-2011, 12:41 AM

Water really is an amazing thing. Its powerful and can do a lot of damage weather it's coming out of a creek or a pipe.

I have relatives who live in the boonies and I do mean boonies. It's always like 10 to 15 degrees colder where they live than it is just a few miles away. They are always battling frozen pipes. They have to use space heaters to get them thawed sometimes. They have them insulated and everything. It's just a way of life for them anymore. At least they know when to kick the heater on so that they can avoid frozen pipes.

homealone · #4 01-09-2011, 05:49 PM

flip_it_fast, sounds like your family who live in the boonies need to wrap their pipes in heat tape rather than insulation. Heat tape would really help to keep their pipes from freezing.

frozen pipes are not much fun and can really ruin a person's day. Every year there are hundreds of homes that are seriously damaged because of broken water pipes. It is a shame that this happens but it does.

Though the best thing anyone can do is be prepared and do all that they can to try and prevent this from happening.

flip_it_fast · #5 01-09-2011, 05:57 PM

They actually do use the heat tape but they live in the "frozen tundra" in the winter. It's seriously a lot colder where they live. Even in the summer when it's 80 degrees at my house, it's only like 70 at theirs. They live smack between two hills and they really don't get much sun because of all of the trees. Their homes are mobile homes too and there is only so much you can do to keep the cold air out from under the trailer. It's kind of strange because our snow will melt and they will still have it in abundance a month later. Thats just how much colder it is.

homealone · #6 01-10-2011, 08:33 PM

Sounds like they live a bit to far out there in the boonies. That is amazing that they have to deal with this kiind of stuff every single year. I don't know how they do it!!

I could never handle living like that. I mean it would be nice during the summer because it would save on the air conditioning bills, however fighting all winter with frozen or broken pipes would not make me happy at all.

I wish everyone who deals with this kind of thing at this time of the year the very best of luck!! I hope that they recieve a miracle this year and never once have to have frozen pipes or at least have them burst.

flip_it_fast · #7 01-11-2011, 01:05 AM

My neighbor just actually called me to see if my husband could go over and thaw her pipes. She is an elderly lady who lives alone. She said she was able to get them thawed a few days ago but now they are frozen again and she is having problems. Dang winter! It's stinks!

homealone · #8 01-13-2011, 02:22 PM

Yes I do agree that winter weather really does stink. I am so looking forward to spring time.

At this time of the year especially if you live alone and are elderly things get even worse because they aren't able to get around and do things that need to be done. It is horrible, but thankfully there are still people in this world who are willing and able to help those in need to make sure life is a bit easier.

I hope that your husband was able to quickly thaw out her pipes for her and that everything is alright again.