Frozen Pipes

Well, it’s that time of year again! Temperatures are below freezing and if you aren’t following proper steps, you may find yourself with a busted pipe! There are some steps you can take to help protect your home from the water damage that may occur from frozen pipes.

My Pipes Froze Anyway

If your search reveals that your pipes are frozen but none have ruptured, you have two choices:

• Call a plumber to help thaw your frozen pipes. This is a good idea if you don’t think you can safely thaw the pipes yourself, you don’t know where the frozen pipes are or you can’t access the frozen area. United Fire and Water Damage has recommendations for plumbers!
• Attempt to thaw the frozen pipes yourself. Be aware this option can be dangerous if not done correctly.

If you attempt to thaw the frozen pipes yourself, keep the following tips in mind:

• Keep your faucet open. Water and steam will be created during the thawing process, and your pipes need an opening.
• Apply heat to the section of the pipe that is frozen. This can be done by wrapping an electronic heating pad around the pipe, scouring the area with a hair dryer or both. If you lack either of these items, using towels soaked in hot water will help as well. Never use a blowtorch, propane or kerosene heaters, a charcoal stove or any other open flame device to thaw your frozen pipes. You should also avoid using a space heater unless you are sure the area is clear of any flammable material.
• Continue applying heat until water flow returns to normal. Once you have successfully thawed the pipe, turn on other faucets in your home to check for any more frozen water pipes.