Frozen pipes are a serious plumbing problem that can affect your home during the winter months. When water freezes, it expands, which means that frozen pipes can break, leading to significant leaks when the ice finally melts again. Beyond the damage to your pipes, these leaks represent a serious risk to your home, since water damage can quickly cause structural issues and contribute to mold growth if left unchecked. Thankfully, there are a few early warning signs associated with frozen pipes that you should look out for to determine when you need to get in touch with a plumber.

Little to No Running Water

The most common indication that your pipes may have frozen is if you notice that there is no water coming out of the taps, or if only a small trickle is apparent. Frozen pipes are more likely to affect water fixtures that have plumbing that runs against an exterior wall – but be sure to check your other water fixtures as well. Narrowing down which water fixtures are affected by the cold weather can help you and your plumber determine where the issue lies, making it easier for you to determine where to install insulation to prevent future freezing. 

Visible Frost

An additional way to determine if your pipes are frozen without actually turning the taps on is to look at any exposed plumbing within your home. The presence of frost, or frozen condensation, on the exterior of the pipes indicates that the temperature is too low for them to function properly. This means that these pipes need to be either insulated further or somehow exposed to warmer temperatures within your home – either through a temporary solution like a space heater placed nearby or more proactively by improving HVAC air circulation throughout your home.

Bad Drain Odor

Another common sign that your pipes may have frozen is if you notice that there is a strong, almost overpowering bad smell that is coming out of your drains. Unlike other types of frozen pipes, a bad smell will indicate that water in your drain pipe has frozen, creating a blockage that prevents your sinks or other drains from properly draining. While minor blockages may be able to be fixed by simply running some hot water, frozen drain pipes may have burst or developed leaks, so you should call a plumber to inspect and determine the best course of action moving forward.

Contact a company like Brother's Plumbing today for more information and assistance.