My Pipes Are Frozen!

Unfortunately, the holidays are coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean warm temperatures are right around the corner. If this year is anything like previous Ohio winters, the worst of the cold weather is on its way. When it gets here, don’t forget mom’s advice to let your faucets drip, but if your pipes freeze anyways, don’t forget these tips!

Keep The Faucet Open

You should keep the faucet open even if the pipes have frozen. When the frozen area starts to melt water will flow and help melt the remaining ice in the pipe.

Warm Up The Pipes

If you need water immediately, you can try to locate the frozen pipe. If you can reach it you can try to apply can apply heat to the frozen area using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer or towels soaked in hot water. The goal is to heat the pipes slowly to avoid any ruptures or cracks.

Keep Cold Rooms Warm

Use a portable space heater to keep cold rooms with poor heating, or no heating at all, above freezing. If you won’t be monitoring the thawing process be sure to turn off the main shutoff valve. The pipe you are thawing may already be broken, cracked, or split and water could leak out without you knowing.

Let the Water Pressure Return to Normal

Don’t stop thawing out the frozen pipes until the water pressure at the desired end point has returned to normal. If a large quantity of ice remains the chance of the pipe refreezing is high.

What Not To Use

Never use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device. You could easily start a fire and overheating pipes in a single spot can cause them to burst. This leads to an even more time and resources to fix your frozen pipes.

If your pipes break you should shut off your water and water heater immediately and place a call for professional help. If your pipes aren’t thawing or you can’t determine where the pipes are frozen you could have a frozen service line and would need professional assistance from a certified commercial plumber.

The last place you want to be these winter is without the chance for a hot shower after braving the cold all day. If you follow this tips during the worst of the cold you can make sure your pipes are flowing all winter long and if something doesn’t work, you can always call The Waterworks!