Don’t Let Frozen Pipes Interrupt Your Christmas!

The last thing you want on Christmas morning is a burst pipe flooding your basement while the kids are opening presents upstairs. But here in Dayton, frozen pipes are practically a winter tradition.

Why Pipes Freeze (And Why It Matters)

When temperatures drop below freezing, the water inside your pipes expands. That creates pressure. Enough pressure, and your pipes don’t just freeze – they burst. And by the time you notice? You’re already dealing with water damage.

Pipes in unheated areas are the most vulnerable: crawl spaces, attics, exterior walls, and that garage you’ve been meaning to insulate. Your upstairs bathroom usually freezes first because it’s farthest from your heating system and closest to the cold attic above.

Three Signs Your Pipes Are About to Freeze

1. Weak water flow – If your faucet is barely trickling when it should be flowing strong, ice might already be forming inside the pipe.
2. Frost on exposed pipes – Check your basement, crawl space, or under sinks. Visible frost means you’re running out of time.
3. Strange smells from drains – When a pipe freezes between your drain and the sewer, odors have nowhere to go but back up into your house.

Do This BEFORE Temps Drop Tonight

Don’t wait until you hear that awful dripping sound behind your walls. Here’s what Dayton homeowners should do before the next cold snap:

• Let faucets drip overnight (yes, even a tiny drip helps)
• Open cabinet doors under sinks to let warm air circulate
• Disconnect and drain garden hoses
• Insulate pipes in unheated areas with foam sleeves
• Keep your thermostat consistent – no drastic drops at night

When a Pipe Freezes: What NOT to Do

Found a frozen pipe? Don’t grab a blowtorch or heat gun. Uneven heating can crack the pipe or even start a fire. Instead, use a hairdryer on low heat, working from the faucet back toward the frozen section. Never thaw a pipe if you can’t see both ends… trapped water needs somewhere to go when it melts.

And honestly? If you’re not sure what you’re doing, don’t risk it. Frozen pipes can burst while you’re thawing them, and suddenly you’re dealing with an emergency plumbing situation instead of a frozen pipe situation.

We’re Here When You Need Us

Spartan Plumbing offers 24/7 emergency service because frozen pipes don’t wait for business hours. Whether it’s Christmas Eve or 3 a.m. on New Year’s Day, we’ll be there. Our technicians know Dayton winters, and we’ve seen every kind of frozen pipe disaster you can imagine (and a few you probably can’t).

Need a whole-home shutoff valve upgrade? Want to move pipes out of vulnerable areas? Our plumbing services cover prevention and repairs, so you’re not just fixing this winter’s problems, you’re preventing next winter’s too.

This December, don’t wait for a crisis. Contact us or call us at (937) 203-0339!