It’s the dead of winter, and a cold snap has hit your town. You wake up to find that your pipes have frozen, and now water is spewing all over your floor. What do you do? Like other people, you probably don’t know what to do when you have frozen pipes.
You will understand what to do with such pipes in the following post and when to hire experts.
What is a Frozen Pipe?
Water expands when it turns to ice. The expansion exerts pressure on the pipes and can cause them to break. Pipes exposed to cold weather are more likely to freeze.
If you notice that your water is not flowing as usual or coming out slowly, you may have a blocked pipe.
Common Reasons for Frozen Pipes
1) The Weather is Pretty Cold
When the temperature is below freezing, it’s more likely that your pipes will freeze. It is especially true if they are located on an exterior wall or in an unheated cabinet of your home.
2) You Didn’t Close the Doors to Unheated Areas
If you leave a door open to an unheated area of your home, it increases the chances that your pipes will freeze.
3) Your Pipes are Old and Defective
If your pipes are old and have been repaired before, they may not be as effective in keeping the water warm. It can make them susceptible to freezing.
4) You Had a Pipe Burst in the Past
If you have seen a pipe burst in the past, it can lead to frozen pipes. The water damage from a previous pipe burst can make your home more susceptible to future freezing.
5) You Have Poor Insulation
Insulation means that less heat escapes from homes, making it harder for the pipes to stay warm.
How to Thaw a Frozen Pipe
There are many methods that you can thaw a blocked pipe.
1) Use a Hairdryer
You can use a hairdryer to thaw the pipe. Point the hairdryer at the pipe and keep it moving until the water starts flowing again.
2) Use a Heater
You can use it to thaw the pipe if you have a heater. Be sure to keep a close eye on the heater or the solatube while it’s running, and don’t leave it unattended.
3) Use Hot Water
You can try running hot water through the pipe to thaw it out. Be careful not to scold yourself with the hot water.
4) Use a Pipe Thawer
With a pipe thawer, you can use that to help thaw the pipe.
When to Hire a Professional
If you’ve tried thawing the pipe yourself and it hasn’t worked, you may need to hire an expert. An expert will assess the situation and help you get your water flowing again.
Here are some ways in which a professional plumber can help you.
a) They Can Help You Find the Frozen Pipe
Plumbers use special tools like a thermal imaging camera to help find the blocked pipe. The camera is infrared and can help plumbers see where the heat is escaping.
b) They Can Help You Thaw the Pipe
Thawing is the process of getting the water flowing again. Plumbers have equipment and techniques to help thaw the pipe quickly and safely.
Some tools are explained below:
– Pipe Thawing Cable: This is a cable that has heating wires inside it. The plumber will wrap the cable around the pipe and turn the power.
– Propane Torch: A propane torch is a tool that uses gas to create heat. The plumber will hold the torch up to the pipe, and the heat will help to thaw it.
– Heat Lamp: A heat lamp is a type of light that gives off heat. The plumber will place the lamp close to the pipe to help thaw it.
– Heating Pad: A heating pad is a device that you can use to heat an object. The plumber will place the pad around the pipe to help thaw it.
c) They Can Help You Repair the Pipe
If the cold pipe has caused damage, the plumber can help you repair it. They will check the damage and give you an estimate of the repairs.
Some repairing techniques are:
– Pipe Repair Clamp: This is a device that you can use to repair a pipe that has burst. The clamp will go around the pipe and hold it together.
– Pipe Patch: This is a piece of material that you can use to patch a pipe. The plumber will cut the patch to the size of the hole and then apply it to the pipe.
Conclusion
If you are experiencing frozen pipes, it is essential to take action as soon as possible. A local plumber will handle the situation best and find an immediate solution.
