If you turn on a faucet and there is no water or only a trickle, this is a sign that one or more of your pipes are frozen. You can try to thaw the pipe by applying heat.
Apply heat with an electric heating pad wrapped around the frozen section, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials) or towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, propane or kerosene heaters as these present a fire hazard and a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Turn Off the Water
As freezing temperatures hit the United States, millions of Americans are at risk for frozen pipes. When this occurs, it’s important to know what to do if your pipes freeze and how to thaw them to avoid further damage to your home or business.
The first thing to do if you suspect frozen pipes is to turn off your water supply. This is done by turning off the main valve. You can usually find this valve near the water meter or in your basement. It’s also a good idea to shut off any other faucets served by the affected pipe in your house. This will help prevent a build-up of pressure in the event that your pipes freeze and burst.
Once the water is turned off, you should start thawing your pipes immediately. If you have access to the frozen area of your pipe, begin by applying heat directly to the frozen area. The best way to do this is with hot towels. Begining at the end of the affected pipe and working toward the coldest part, wrap the towel around the frozen area. This will warm the ice plug and may melt it in a matter of minutes.
If this doesn’t work, you can try using a hair dryer or a heat gun. Be careful when using these tools as they can cause a pipe to break. They also pose a fire danger and can expose you to lethal carbon monoxide. You should also avoid using kerosene heaters, open flame devices, or blow torches to thaw your pipes.
A final option is to leave a small trickle of water running. This will help reduce the likelihood that your ice will break the seal and leak out of your pipes. In addition, a slow flow of water can help keep your pipes from freezing as they are being thawed.
The biggest risk of leaving a faucet on is that it will eventually burst due to the increased pressure in the pipe as it thaws. This is especially true if your pipes are located in areas of your home that are exposed to extreme cold, such as against an outside wall or in the attic.
Seal Up Drafts
The cold temperatures of winter bring freezing conditions that increase the risk of frozen pipes. As a homeowner, you can protect your home from potential problems by taking preventative measures to avoid costly repairs and water damage. Preventative steps can be as simple as insulating your pipes and sealing gaps in your home. It is also important to monitor your temperature and consider the use of a smart thermostat and space heaters.
Drafts are a major factor in frozen pipes because they cause cold air to creep into areas of your home that normally stay warm. This includes attics and crawl spaces where exposed water pipes are located. You can easily find and seal drafts around doors, windows, foundations, and vents by caulking and sealing them with weather stripping. This will help maintain a consistent temperature throughout your home and prevent cold air from seeping into these areas where frozen pipes are most likely to be found.
Keeping the water running through your faucets is another way to help prevent frozen pipes. This is because moving water is less likely to freeze than still water. A slow drip of water can also relieve pressure that builds if your pipes do freeze and melt.
It is also important to open the cabinet doors under your sinks and let warm air circulate in those areas where the pipes are. Opening up these cabinets will also make it easier to access your water supply lines if they are frozen and need to be thawed. When thawing a frozen pipe, it is best to start with the section closest to the faucet and work your way toward the frozen area. You can use a hair dryer, heating pad, or portable space heater to apply heat to the frozen section of your pipe. Do not use an open flame or excessive heat because this could cause the pipe to burst and can pose a fire hazard.
By following these basic tips, you can save yourself the stress and money of dealing with frozen pipes this winter. By shutting off the water, opening up the faucets, thawing frozen pipes, and staying proactive, you can avoid the hassle of dealing with expensive plumbing emergencies during winter.
Insulate Your Pipes
As the temperatures start to drop, it’s important to remember that frozen pipes aren’t just annoying but can also lead to costly home repairs and ruined belongings. Frozen water expands as it turns to ice, which can create immense pressure on the walls of your pipes. When this happens, the pipes will likely burst, resulting in expensive damage to your home and property. To prevent this, take steps to protect your pipes before the cold weather arrives.
Insulate your exposed pipes to prevent the water in them from freezing during extreme winter weather. This is especially important for the attic, basement, and crawl spaces, where the pipes are more likely to freeze. The best way to insulate these pipes is to use pipe insulation sleeves, which are available at most hardware stores. If you do not have any, a good alternative is to cover the exposed pipes with a layer of insulation or newspaper wrapped around the pipes.
Another simple preventative measure is to leave a faucet running at a trickle when it’s very cold outside. Even a small amount of water movement, even at the speed of a drip, can make it harder for the water to freeze. This works well for both hot and cold water pipes, but is particularly effective on exposed outdoor piping. If possible, it’s also a good idea to leave cabinet doors open under sinks to allow warm air to circulate under the cabinets and warm up any indoor plumbing, much like how experts like the Shreveport plumbers handle this sorta stuff.
When the temperatures drop, you should also keep the thermostat set at no lower than 55 degrees. This will help ensure that your house stays warm enough to prevent the water inside your pipes from freezing. If you’re leaving the house for an extended period of time, consider keeping a heat lamp or space heater on to keep the temperature in your home above 55 degrees.
The most important thing to do to prevent your pipes from freezing is to insulate them before the temperatures drop. This will not only keep the water flowing and prevent ice from forming, but it will also help to avoid the potential for bursting. If you are not comfortable insulate your pipes on your own, a professional can help. They can install insulation and even wrap your pipes in thermostatically controlled heat cables to keep the water flowing.
Call a Plumber
Frozen pipes can cause serious water damage to your home and property. Not only is there a loss of water, but it can also wreak havoc on your carpets, wood flooring, furniture and personal belongings. Water from burst frozen pipes can also spread mold and mildew, which can be dangerous to your health.
If you suspect that you have a frozen pipe, first make sure to shut off the water at your main shut off valve. Then, open any faucets that are connected to the affected pipe to drain the water. This will relieve pressure on the non-frozen portions of the pipe and allow you to check for any signs that the frozen portion has ruptured.
The most obvious sign of a frozen pipe is when you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out. If this happens, turn off the water and call a plumber immediately.
You can also try to thaw the frozen section of pipe yourself, but it is important that you do so safely. Avoid using a propane torch or other open flame device because this can damage the pipe and potentially start a fire. You can thaw the frozen pipe by wrapping an electronic heating pad around the affected area, or by warming it up with a hair dryer, space heater or warm towels. Just be sure to apply the heat slowly, and work toward the coldest part of the pipe.
Air Leaks
Drafts in your home can increase the chances that your pipes will freeze. Sealing leaks in your home can help prevent this from happening. Look for drafts near electrical wiring, dryer vents and of course your pipes. You can use caulk and other products to seal any leaks. In addition, keeping your home warmer and better insulated will reduce the chances that your pipes will freeze.
