October 27/2020

What to Do About Frozen Pipes?

Tis the season to be jolly but also the season to be mindful of your pipes. Extreme cold weather can freeze your pipes. Be prepared to handle frozen pipes and take the necessary precautions to avoid them from freezing in the first place. Mr. Rooter Plumbing has you covered even if the damage has been done. Though our licensed plumbers are best qualified to deal with such problems, we have put together this article to help you troubleshoot and fix frozen pipes. If the damage is extensive or if you would just like to leave it to the experts, then call Mr. Rooter Plumbing to hire a certified plumber. We are available 24/7 and can have a highly-skilled plumber dispatched to your location within the hour.

The Problem with Frozen Pipes

So what? Frozen pipes will just thaw out on their own anyway, right? Sure, but not without potentially damaging your plumbing system and preventing you from performing basic chores. Frozen pipes restrict water flow, stopping you from comfortably doing normal tasks such as showering, washing the dishes, or cooking. Plus, water expands when frozen. This expansion can be enough to rupture pipes with up to 2,000 pounds of pressure per square inch. Surely you do not want to deal with burst pipes.

How To Tell Your Pipes Have Frozen

The most obvious sign of a frozen pipe is low water pressure coming from your faucets or showerheads. If it is around or below freezing outside and your faucets are only trickling when you turn them on, then you should be suspicious of frozen pipes. Don’t shrug off frozen pipes. Ignoring them can leave you with ruptured pipes that will have to be replaced.

Preventative Measures to Take

We always recommend prevention here at Mr. Rooter Plumbing. Though it is impossible to control the weather, you can take control of your plumbing system. Consider these simple tips as soon as you expect temperatures to drop below freezing:

• Insulate exposed pipes with electrical heat tape or foam insulation.
• Keep your building’s thermostat at no lower than 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Don’t forget to keep the cold out by closing windows and your garage door. Space heaters can be placed in unconditioned areas of your home.
• Flowing water is hard to freeze. Allow faucets to lightly trickle especially if you are going to be away from home for extended periods of time.

How to Deal with Frozen Pipes

The first thing you want to do is shut off the main water line to halt the flow of water. You don’t want hundreds of gallons of water pouring into your home through a crack once the pipes thaw. Next, open a faucet supplied by the frozen pipe to reduce pressure and give the thawed ice somewhere to safely go. Finally, grab a hair dryer, heating lamp, heating pad, or even towels soaked in hot water. Thaw the pipes. Start from the faucet side and work your way deeper.
If you are hesitant or would like an expert’s assistance, then please call Mr. Rooter Plumbing to request an urgent dispatch. We can have a nearby plumber dispatched to your location within the hour.