What to Do about Frozen Pipes
Water expands when it freezes, and this property is what makes frozen pipes such a potentially expensive problem. Regardless of the durability of your pipes, freezing can potentially cause a pipe to break, resulting in costly repairs and a major hassle for you. Know what to do at the first sign of freezing pipes, and call in an experienced plumber if you find yourself in need of professional assistance.
Know How to Recognize Frozen Pipes
If you turn on a faucet and only a slow trickle drips out, it’s likely a frozen pipe. Look for exposed sections of pipe to find the frozen portions. This may be a pipe that is against a wall, under the sink, or an area where the water pipes emerge from your foundation.
Keep the faucet open, as the running water can actually help to thaw the pipes. Monitor the faucet as you apply heat to exposed pipes.
Apply Heat
Do not use anything with an open flame in an attempt to thaw your pipes. Instead, apply an electric heating pad to the frozen area or a portable space heater or hair dryer. Or you can wrap them with hot towels. Keep the pipes heated until water begins to run through the open tap. If this doesn’t work, call in a licensed plumber.
Insulate and Protect Your Pipes
Finally, it’s important to do all that you can to prevent pipes from freezing again in the future. Make sure that nay exposed pipes are insulated with products like pipe sleeves or heat tape—even wrapping the pipe in newspaper can provide some insulation. Insulate attics and crawlspaces as well.
In extreme weather, keep the heater on even if you are away, and open up cabinets so that the heat can reach underneath the sink. You might want to consider relocating pipes if they are in areas that make them susceptible to freezing, but this is a job for a trained plumber.
At Advanced Home Services, we are the standard when it comes to providing great service. Call us today for help with your frozen pipes in Blackfoot, ID. We’re open during the holidays!
