What to Do If Your Pipes Freeze

If you’ve ever dealt with frozen pipes, then you know how big of a hassle they can be. And you also know that they’re more than just a hassle. If your pipes freeze in the wrong place, it can be downright dangerous.

Fortunately, frozen pipes aren’t always a disaster, and there are ways to take care of them yourself. In this article, we’ll cover how you can take care of frozen pipes, both by yourself and with the help of a professional. Read on through the following sections to learn more about what to do if your pipes freeze:

How to Prevent Your Pipes from Freezing

It’s often said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and the same holds true when it comes to your plumbing. The best way to fix frozen pipes is to never let them happen in the first place. Here are a few strategies you can employ when temperatures start dropping to prevent your pipes from freezing.

Drain water from pipes that are likely to freeze: Exterior pipes like sprinkler pipes are more likely to freeze, so make sure to empty them when cold weather is expected.
Let taps drip overnight or when it’s especially cold: Leaving your faucets to drip during cold weather keeps water moving through your pipes, making it less likely to freeze.
Keep your thermostat at a consistent temperature: Never let your thermostat stay off when it’s cold. Keeping your home at a consistent room temperature can help prevent frozen pipes.
Disconnect exterior hoses: Unscrew your hoses and empty them out before the weather gets too cold.
Open cabinets containing pipes: Opening cabinets helps encourage air flow, making it less likely that the pipes inside those cabinets will get cold enough to freeze.

Call a Professional

Now, before you do any of the following DIY steps, you should make sure to call a professional plumber. There are ways to fix a frozen pipe yourself, but depending on where the pipe is located it could be a severe issue that is best left to the pros. Don’t risk making it worse before you call someone who knows what they’re doing.

How to Thaw a Frozen Pipe

Sometimes, no matter what measures you take, it can get so cold for your pipes that they freeze. Fortunately, it’s not the end of the world if your pipes end up frozen. Here are a few of the strategies you can employ to thaw a frozen pipe:

Keep your faucet open: When preparing to thaw your pipes, make sure to turn on the tap. Thawing pipes creates steam and water, which will need a place to escape. Keeping the tap open will help speed up the rate at which your tap and pipes thaw.
Apply moderate warmth to the frozen pipe: The key here is the word “moderate.” You should always use a heat source like a hair dryer or an electric heating pad to apply warmth to the affected pipe. You should never use a blowtorch or any other device that produces an open flame. You are likely going to be working in an enclosed space to begin with, and that can make it difficult to avoid contact between flammable objects and a flame. Additionally, you should not use a space heater. If all you have is a space heater, you should likely not attempt this solution, though they can be used if constantly supervised and kept well clear of any flammable materials.
Do not attempt to fix exterior wall pipe freezes: Unless you are a plumber by trade, you should not attempt to fix an exterior wall pipe. If you are able to identify an exterior wall pipe as the source of the freeze, you should immediately call a professional plumber or contractor and convey the urgency of the situation. Exterior wall pipes often involve complex repairs such as cutting holes in the wall, which can pose a risk to the structural integrity of the home if the pipe bursts.

Frozen Pipes FAQs

Will frozen pipes thaw on their own?

In a sense, yes, but it can be risky to wait for this to happen. Water expands when it freezes, which leads to increased pressure on your pipes. Over enough time, this pressure can cause your pipe to burst.

What should I do if my pipes freeze?

If your pipes freeze, the first thing you should do is call a professional who can help. There are also strategies that you can employ on your own that can help thaw a pipe in a convenient location, such as using a hairdryer to warm the affected area.

Should I leave the faucet on if pipes are frozen?

Yes. While the ice in your pipes thaws, it will create water that needs to go somewhere. Turning on your tap gives that water, and any potential steam, a place to be released.

How long does it take for pipes to unfreeze?

If done correctly, the most common methods for thawing a frozen pipe can thaw it within about half an hour. However, this can be affected by other factors such as weather and the location of the frozen pipe.

Get the Drop on Frozen Pipe Issues with a Home Warranty Plan Today

While a home warranty does not cover plumbing issues typically related to frozen pipes, you can take advantage of affordable handyman services to install high quality faucets and showerheads that can help you avoid a costly pipe freeze. Interested in exploring our home warranty? Get a free quote today or check out some of the following pages to learn more about our home warranty options: