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what you need to know about frozen pipes
THAWING CAN CREATE NEW ISSUES
Frozen pipes may thaw on their own, but not without substantial damage. Letting your pipes thaw on their own may result in major water damage and broken plumbing.
If your pipe has frozen, but not burst, then it is strong enough to contain the ice. However, the pipe strength will be challenged if you don’t thaw them properly.
As pipes thaw, the water can back up behind the frozen point, causing the pressure inside the pipe to increase further, which can lead to bursting pipes.
One way you can help prevent pipes from bursting is to open your faucet as you defrost pipes. If you are able to find the frozen point in your pipes, use a hair dryer to thaw it out and watch for water to flow through the faucet.
Make sure water is flowing at normal, full capacity before you stop applying heat so your pipes don’t refreeze.
If you do try to defrost your pipes, make sure you know where your main water shut off is located. It's usually near the water meter or where the main water line enters the home. If the pipe bursts, immediately shut off the water.
Remember, never use a gas-powered heater to defrost pipes. That can lead to even bigger problems.
HOW TO PREVENT FROZEN PIPES
- Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
- Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
- When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.
- Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
- If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.
How to Thaw Frozen Pipes
- If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
- Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.
- Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.
- Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you can not thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
- Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.
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