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What To Do When You Have Frozen Pipe?

What is worse than a huge home maintenance disaster? Simply try many big home maintenance disasters together. When a home's water pipes freeze, then the situation isn’t as simple as contacting a plumber. An 1/8-inch of crack in your pipe can spew nearly 250 gallons water per day, causing serious structural damage, flooding, and the instant potential for mold.The frozen water pipes tend to be an issue in both warmer and cold climates, affecting almost quarter-million families every winter, and this can happen in houses with both copper and plastic pipes. It is too common, particularly considering that this damage is quite preventable.Other than taking the general preventive precautions, below are some steps you may take to keep the pipes from turning frosty nights into expensive, and inconvenient ordeals.Before Winter ComesThe three main causes of the frozen pipes are fast drop in temperature, thermostats set very low, and poor insulation. You can easily prepare your house during warmer months.

Insulate the pipes in your house's attic and crawl spaces, even though you live in climate where freezing tends to be uncommon. Exposed water pipes are most disposed to freezing. Keep in mind, more insulation you utilize, the better protected pipes will be.

Seal leaks that enable cold air in near where the pipes are situated. Look for air leakage around electrical wiring, pipes, and dryer vents, and utilize insulation or caulk to keep cold out. With harsh cold, even a small opening can allow enough cool air to cause pipes to freeze.

Thermostatically controlled heat cable or Heat tape can be utilized to wrap pipes. Ensure to utilize products approved by independent testing organization and only for use intended (interior or exterior). Closely follow all the manufacturers' installations and operation instruction.

Before winter comes, disconnect garden hose and, if possible, utilize an indoor valve in order to shut off as well as drain water from the pipes leading to outer faucets. This decreases the chances of freezing in short span of pipes just in the home.

When Mercury Plummets

Even though you have taken the best preventative steps, harsh weather conditions still can harm your pipes. Below are some more steps that you can take:

Open cabinet door to let heat to get into un-insulated pipes below appliances and sinks near the exterior walls.

A trickle of cold and hot water may be all it will take to keep your water pipes from freezing. Allow warm water to drip overnight, generally from faucet on an outer wall.

Keep the thermostat set at same temperatures during both night and day. You may be in habit of turning the heat down when you are asleep, however further drops in temperature—more commonly overnight—can catch you off guards and freeze the pipes.

If Your Pipes Freeze

What if the pipes freeze still, despite your most excellent preventive measures? The first step: Just do not panic. Simply because they are frozen does not mean they have burst already. Here is what you may do:

In case you turn on the faucets and nothing actually comes out, leave faucets turned on as well as call a Lynnwood Plumber.

Don’t use any electrical appliances in the area of standing water. In such cases, you can be electrocuted.

Don’t try to thaw any pipes with torch or any other open flame as it could cause fire hazard. Water damages are preferable to burning your house down!

You may be capable to thaw any frozen pipe using hair dryer. Begin by warming the pipes as close to faucet as probable, working towards coldest section of pipes.