What’s worse than a broken pipe? A frozen pipe. It’s not just inconvenient—it’s potentially dangerous, too.
When your pipes freeze, it can be difficult to tell what’s happening. You may see water dripping from your faucet and think it’s just condensation from the cold air in your home. But in reality, you have a frozen pipe that needs attention ASAP.
If you’re lucky enough to have a house with private wells or septic tanks, then this article isn’t for you because your well or septic won’t freeze—but if you live in an apartment building or townhouse, then this article is definitely for you!
If you’re worried about your pipes freezing up during the winter months, this article is also for you so you don’t have to deal with this mess again!
In this article, we’ll discuss the causes of frozen pipes, how to prevent them from happening again, and when you should call a fontanero profesional en Salt Lake City.
¿Qué causa las tuberías congeladas y las explosiones?
We all know what it’s like: you’re settling in for the night, ready to watch a movie or get to bed early, when suddenly you hear a strange crackling sound coming from somewhere downstairs. You rush out of bed and down the stairs, only to find that your pipes have burst and your entire home is flooded with freezing cold water.
What can cause frozen pipes? A combination of low temperatures and inadequate insulation or protection of pipes typically causes frozen pipes and pipe bursts. Here’s a breakdown of the process:
Temperaturas frías
Cold weather freezes water in your pipes. If there’s not enough heat in the room where your water heater is located (or if there’s no heat), your pipes might freeze. This can happen even if you have a thermostat on your water heater set to high or medium—it depends on how much heat makes it into that room.
Expansión de agua
As water freezes, it expands—and if there isn’t enough room for expansion in a pipe (or if there are several other factors), this expansion can cause severe harm to your entire plumbing system.
Corrosión
If your pipes are made from metal or plastic, they can corrode when exposed to freezing temperatures—which means that even if they don’t burst from pressure changes due to expansion/contraction, they could still start leaking over time!
aumento de la presión
Cuando baja la temperatura, el agua dentro de las tuberías se congela y se expande. Esto aumenta la presión en las tuberías, lo que puede provocar fugas y reventar las tuberías.
Ráfagas de tubería
Si la presión del hielo en expansión es demasiado alta para que las tuberías la manejen, pueden romperse o explotar. El estallido generalmente ocurre en el punto más débil de la tubería, como una junta o una sección que carece del aislamiento adecuado.
¿Cuánto tardan las tuberías en congelarse y reventar?
The answer to this question is not as easy as it seems. It depends on a lot of factors, like the temperature outside, how much insulation your pipes have, how well-insulated your building is, and even how much heat you’re generating inside.
Aquí hay algunas estimaciones aproximadas del tiempo que tardan las tuberías en reventar y congelarse:
El ser humano promedio puede sobrevivir durante unas 3-4 horas en temperaturas bajo cero sin abrigo ni ropa.
To be on the safe side, you should assume that if your building isn’t heated or insulated properly, it will take between 1.5 hours and 2 hours for pipes to freeze and burst—depending on the temperature outside and how much energy you’re using inside (like running a heater).
¿Qué sucede cuando las tuberías se congelan o revientan?
Pipes freeze. Pipes burst. These are facts of life, and we all know them well enough to handle them when they happen. But what about when your pipes freeze and burst? What’s going on down there?
Estos son los posibles resultados de las tuberías rotas en invierno:
Pierdes tu suministro de agua
If your pipes are frozen or burst, you will lose access to your water supply. This could mean you’ll have to go without drinking for days or, worse yet, you might have to drink bottled water instead. Who wants THAT?
Ráfagas de tubería
When pipes burst, it usually happens because built-up pressure inside the pipe causes it to explode outward from the wall or ceiling where it’s installed. This can cause significant damage to your home’s interior as well as its exterior landscaping—and even cause flooding in your basement!
Daño estructural
If a pipe bursts under the foundation of your home, it can cause structural damage. This type of damage can be costly to repair and even lead to further problems if it isn’t fixed properly.
Daño a la propiedad
Burst pipes can cause significant water damage to your property. Depending on the location of the burst, water can flood your home or building, damaging walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, electronics, and personal belongings. The extent of the damage can be costly to repair frozen plumbing fix and may require a professional plumber’s help.
El crecimiento de moho
Si sus tuberías estallan, el agua se derramará y se acumulará en el área donde estallaron. Esa agua puede estar sucia y húmeda, lo cual es un ambiente perfecto para el crecimiento de moho. El moho puede ser dañino para su hogar y su salud, por lo que siempre debe obtener ayuda de un profesional sobre cómo prevenir las roturas de tuberías en el invierno.
Aumento de los costos de servicios públicos
Not only will you have to pay for repairs, but you’ll also likely see an increase in your utility bills due to the fact that your home needs more heat or cooling than usual while repairs are being made.
Interrupción e inconvenientes
If your pipes burst, it means you’ll have to deal with clean-up, repairs, and replacement costs—but what about your guests who need a place to stay? What about your employees who depend on the office being open? What if your commute is disrupted? It’s not just inconvenient—it’s expensive!
El costo de las tuberías rotas
Burst pipes are a problem for homeowners, but they can also be a “pipe” to a lot of money.
If you own your home and have burst pipes, the cost of repairing or replacing them can be significant. If you rent your home and have burst pipes, that means not only that you’re dealing with the hassle of trying to get repairs done but also that your landlord is probably looking at some hefty repair bills as well.
When it comes to burst pipes, there’s no such thing as an easy fix—and there’s definitely no such thing as an inexpensive one. Even if you’re lucky enough to catch the leak before too much damage is done, and it’s just a small pipe that needs replacing, those repairs will still run into thousands of dollars.
13 consejos profesionales para mantener las tuberías en invierno
When it comes to knowing how to prevent burst water pipes in cold weather and keeping them in tip-top shape, it’s not just a matter of ensuring they’re properly insulated and sealed. You have to be extra careful during the winter months when the cold can cause an increase in water pressure that could lead to a burst pipe!
Estos son algunos consejos profesionales sobre cómo evitar que las tuberías revienten en los meses de invierno:
Aísle las tuberías expuestas.
You probably don’t want to insulate every pipe in your house—that would be expensive and impractical. For the most part, your pipes are probably hidden behind walls or under floors. But it’s important to protect those that are exposed to the elements. Your best bet here is to use heat tape or insulation tape. This will prevent condensation from forming on the exterior of the pipe and causing ice build-up.
Sellar huecos y grietas.
If there are any gaps or cracks in your walls or floors where cold air can get in and freeze your pipes, now’s the time to seal those up! You can use simple caulk or foam sealant (or even duct tape!) to keep out that cold air. Just make sure you don’t cover up any holes that are supposed to be there—like electrical outlets or light switches—or else you’ll end up with frozen fuses and blown circuit breakers!
Mantenga constantes las temperaturas interiores.
In older homes, it’s best to keep the thermostat set at 60 degrees during the day and around 65 degrees at night. This will help you learn how to prevent a burst pipe and avoid getting too cold or too hot, which can cause them to burst.
Desconecte y drene las mangueras exteriores.
This might seem obvious for preventing burst pipes in cold weather, but it’s easy to forget when you are preparing for the holidays. It’s also important because if your hose freezes, it could burst—and that would not be fun (or safe).
Abra las puertas del gabinete.
It’s a simple solution for how to prevent burst pipes, but a highly effective one. When you open your cabinet doors, you’re allowing the heat to circulate through your kitchen more easily. This will help prevent pipes from freezing and bursting, which can be a major headache—or worse!
Grifos de goteo.
If you’ve got a dripping faucet, now’s the time to fix that problem! You can use a pair of needle-nose pliers to adjust the washer inside your faucet or call an fontanero de emergencia en Salt Lake City for help if you’re uncomfortable doing it yourself.
Evite el uso de agua caliente.
If it’s too cold for you to shower or wash dishes in cold water, don’t worry! You don’t have to resort to using hot water all day long—just use as little hot water as possible for things like washing dishes or taking showers (and if necessary, use cold water instead).
Mantener una calefacción adecuada.
This might seem obvious for how to prevent burst pipes in an empty home, but it’s important to remember that your heating system isn’t just an energy-saver—it’s also a safety feature. If you don’t keep your home warm enough, pipes can freeze and burst, which can lead to significant property damage or even injury from escaping water. Make sure that you’re keeping your home adequately heated, especially if it has unoccupied areas like basements or attics where pipes might be exposed to lower temperatures than those in living spaces.
Controle la temperatura en los espacios desocupados.
If you have a basement or attic with exposed pipes, make sure that they’re not getting too cold by checking the temperature regularly with a thermometer or other device (such as one of our smart home devices!) You can also install sensors around these areas so you’ll get an alert if there’s a problem before it becomes serious enough for an actual burst pipe!
Esté preparado para cortes de energía.
When it comes to learning how to prevent burst pipes, nothing is more important than having backup heat sources—and knowing how they work! If you have a fireplace or wood stove, be sure to keep it lit at all times during cold weather. You can also string lights around the outside of your house and use them as an extra source of warmth if power outages happen.
Educar a los miembros del hogar.
It’s important that everyone knows what to do when there’s a pipe freeze-up—especially if there are children or pets in the house! Make sure everyone knows where the shutoff valves are located so that they can turn off the water supply during an emergency. And make sure everyone knows how to get help (911) in case something goes wrong with a shutoff valve or another part of their system!
Obtén una alarma de congelamiento.
If you’re worried about your pipes freezing over, consider getting an alarm that can let you know when they’re about to freeze so you can take the necessary steps to learn how to prevent this from happening (like running extra hot water through them). They’re super easy to install and can be placed anywhere in your home where you think your pipes might be vulnerable to freezing temperatures—basements, bathrooms, crawl spaces… anywhere!
Instale una bomba de recirculación de agua caliente.
Si vives en una región fría, las tuberías de tu casa se congelarán durante el invierno. Puedes dejar que se congelen y luego esperar a que se descongelen, pero instalar una bomba de recirculación de agua caliente es la mejor opción. Esto mantendrá el flujo de agua en todo momento y evitará que se dañen las tuberías. Este dispositivo se instala en la línea principal de agua cerca del medidor o fuera del grifo. Bombea agua caliente de regreso a la línea de agua fría para que nunca se congele.
¿Cómo descongelar tuberías de plomería congeladas?
Las tuberías de plomería congeladas son un verdadero dolor. Pueden hacer que su hogar o negocio sea incómodo e inconveniente. Si te pasó a ti, sabes lo frustrante que es.
Thawing frozen plumbing pipes is essential to restore water flow and prevent potential pipe bursts. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to thaw frozen pipes safely:
- Mantenga el grifo abierto: Comience abriendo el grifo conectado a la tubería congelada. Esto permitirá que el agua fluya una vez que la tubería comience a descongelarse. Deje el grifo abierto durante todo el proceso de descongelación.
- Localice el área congelada: Identifique la sección de la tubería congelada. Puede ser una sección visible de tubería expuesta o una parte oculta dentro de una pared o techo. Siente a lo largo de la tubería para determinar el área congelada, ya que generalmente está más fría al tacto.
- Aplicar calor: Existen varios métodos para aplicar calor y descongelar la tubería congelada:
- Secador de cabello eléctrico: use un secador de cabello a temperatura alta para soplar aire caliente directamente sobre la tubería congelada. Mueva la secadora de un lado a otro a lo largo de la tubería, concentrándose en la sección congelada. Tenga cuidado de no usar la secadora cerca de agua estancada.
- Una lámpara de calor o un calentador de ambiente: Coloque una lámpara de calor o un calentador de ambiente cerca de la tubería congelada, asegurándose de que no haya riesgo de incendio. Permita que el calor irradie hacia el área congelada. Mantenga el calefactor a una distancia segura para evitar cualquier contacto con materiales inflamables.
- Toallas calientes o almohadillas térmicas: Envuelva toallas calientes empapadas en agua caliente o almohadillas térmicas alrededor de la tubería congelada. Reemplace las toallas o almohadillas con frecuencia para mantener el calor.
- Portable electric heating tape or cables: If you have access to a portable electric heating tape or cables designed explicitly for thawing pipes, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to safely apply the heat to the frozen pipe.
- Aplique calor suave: evite usar llamas abiertas, calentadores de propano u otras fuentes de calor de alta temperatura para descongelar las tuberías, ya que pueden representar un peligro de incendio o dañar las tuberías.
- Continúe hasta que se restablezca el flujo de agua: aplique calor a la tubería congelada hasta que el agua comience a fluir libremente desde el grifo. Esto indica que el bloqueo de hielo se ha derretido. Mantenga el grifo abierto para permitir que el hielo restante se derrita y evitar que se vuelva a congelar.
- Compruebe si hay fugas o roturas: después de descongelar la tubería, compruebe si hay fugas o roturas. Inspeccione la tubería visualmente y escuche si sale agua. Si descubre una fuga o una explosión, cierre el suministro de agua y llame a un plomero de emergencia las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana para que lo repare.
¡Llame a un plomero de emergencia en Salt Lake City!
Los problemas de plomería pueden ser un gran inconveniente, pero también pueden ser peligrosos.
Si tiene una tubería congelada o rota, podría correr el riesgo de inundar su hogar y causar daños por agua a sus pertenencias. ¡La mejor manera de evitar que esto suceda es llamando a un plomero de emergencia en Salt Lake City!
A Sr. Experto en Plomería, ofrecemos servicios de plomería de emergencia las 24 horas, los 7 días de la semana para residentes y empresas en el área de Salt Lake City. Nuestro objetivo es brindar un servicio rápido y eficiente con profesionalismo y experiencia de primer nivel. Creemos que nuestros clientes merecen el mejor servicio posible en todo momento, por lo que haremos todo lo posible para cumplir con sus requisitos.
Ofrecemos una gama completa de Servicios de plomería de emergencia en Salt Lake City, incluido:
- Reparación de grifos y accesorios
- Limpieza y reparación de desagües obstruidos
- Reparación y sustitución de tuberías
- Instalación, reparación y reemplazo de calentadores de agua
- Servicios de red de alcantarillado
- Reparaciones de plomería de emergencia las 24 horas, los 7 días de la semana
- Servicios de plomería de baños y cocinas
- Reparación o reemplazo de bomba de sumidero
- Instalación o reparación de fregaderos de cocina.
- Instalación o reparación de baños.
- Mantenimiento de fontanería
We’re not just any old emergency plumber—we’re the best in the business! Our plumbers have years of experience working on all kinds of plumbing systems, from residential to commercial. And we’ll respond quickly to your call so that you don’t have to worry about your pipes bursting during the night or leaking into your kitchen during dinner time.
We offer everything from leak detection and repair to drain cleaning and sewer repair services. We are dedicated to providing the best quality service possible at reasonable rates so that you can rest assured knowing that your plumbing issues are properly taken care by professionals who know what they’re doing!
Don’t let a plumbing emergency ruin your day! Call us today at (801) 560-8207 so we can help resolve any plumbing issues you may have with your plumbing.
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