What to Do if You Have Frozen Pipes

Brrr. It’s winter, and it seems like everything is frozen. Unfortunately, the water that travels through your pipes just might freeze, too. At Guaranteed Plumbing & Heating, Inc., we know that dealing with frozen pipes is a hassle, but we’ve got a few pointers to help you deal with them if they freeze.

Why are frozen pipes a problem?

As water freezes, it also expands. This expansion process creates enormous pressure on whatever surrounds it, whether it’s metal pipes or plastic pipes. Regardless of how strong the container is, nothing can stop expanding water from causing these pipes to burst. Frozen pipes are usually those that are:

• Exposed to severe cold, like outdoor garden hoses and water sprinkler lines.
• Water supply pipes in unheated areas like attics, crawl spaces, or garages.
• Found along exterior walls absent of insulation.

So how do I protect them from freezing?

• First, prepare early. Don’t wait for it to get cold. Then, drain water from your pool and your water sprinkler lines. Don’t add antifreeze.
• Drain and store your garden hoses.
• Shut off valves that supply outdoor hoses.
• Allow water to drain from outdoor hoses.
• Insulate your attic, basement, and crawl space. Insulate the pipes under your bathroom and kitchen cabinets, too.
• Check for areas that have water lines in unheated areas.
• Consider using heat tape or pipe sleeves to insulate pipes.
• Use newspaper to insulate if you’re in a pinch.

Quick tips to prevent frozen pipes:

• Close garage doors if there are water supply lines inside.
• Open bathroom and kitchen cabinet drawers to circulate warm air.
• Allow water to drip from the faucet, just at a trickle.
• Maintain a stable temperature in your house.
• If leaving home for an extended period, set your heat no lower than 55.

How should I thaw pipes if they freeze?

If you still find yourself in a situation where you have to deal with frozen pipes, the team at Guaranteed Plumbing & Heating, Inc. can help. We fix frozen pipes in Philadelphia all winter long. Alternately, you can always try the following steps before calling the professionals:

• Apply an electric heating pad, a hair dryer or a space heater to the section of frozen pipe.
• Run water through the pipe.
• Dress the frozen pipe in paper towels that have been soaked in warm water.

If you can’t locate or reach the frozen pipe that is causing you problems and you need frozen pipe repair in Montgomery County, call Guaranteed Plumbing & Heating, Inc. We’ll get your problem fixed in no time.