If you wake up on a bitterly cold morning and water doesn't come out when you turn on the faucet, you could have a frozen pipe somewhere in your system. This is the time to call an emergency plumber, even if it's outside regular business hours. You may have a frozen pipe, but that doesn't mean it has burst yet.
As mentioned in the previous section, once the outside temperature drops below freezing (32°F), your pipes are at risk of freezing. However, the chances of damage increase as temperatures drop to 20°F or below.
We don't recommend the waiting game because the longer your pipes are frozen the more likely it is that they could burst. Burst pipes lead to water damage and water damage may result in structural and property damage, not to mention mold growth.
You could try thawing out the pipes with a hair dryer or a heat gun (a hair dryer on steroids). If you do you should leave the water on, open a couple faucets in different areas and start at the beginning of the water main or if you know you have a cold spot start there.
Water in pipes begins to solidify into ice once temperatures dip below freezing, at 32℉ (0℃).
Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.
Although common, frozen pipes do not always burst. However, the ice can increase this risk when it thaws and is usually worsened as it raises pressure further which makes pipe bursting common near winter's end or springtime. Furthermore, the more water flowing through the pipe, the greater chance of rupture.
Manually thaw: Begin the thawing process at the most vulnerable places (near faucets). By targeting these areas first, your pipes will be less likely to burst. To do so, gently apply heat to the frozen areas. A blow dryer is a good option (use caution, go slowly, and don't use an open flame).
The job goes more quickly by pouring hot water or a mixture of vinegar, baking soda and salt water down the drain. Space heaters, hair dryers and heating pads are highly efficient tools for unfreezing a drain pipe. If a frozen drain line ruptures, turn off your home's main water supply.
Prevent Frozen Pipes
Moving water keeps pipes from freezing. Find shut off valves for emergencies. Insulate pipes in unheated areas. Open cupboards and vanities to warm pipes.
If your pipes freeze:
If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out call a plumber. If you detect your water pipes have frozen, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve in the house. NEVER try to thaw a pipe with a torch or open flame.
Your pipes will eventually begin to thaw on their own once the temperatures rise above freezing. As they do so, you may begin to hear your pipes making gurgling, clanging, or banging sounds as the ice begins to move. The hot water heater may do the same.
Call a Qualified Plumber for Frozen Pipe Repair
Even if a frozen pipe seems fine, it might have cracked or burst somewhere you can't see, meaning it will leak once thawed. If the pipe did not burst or leak, it may have been weakened by the pressure of the ice.
Should You Drip Faucets In Cold Weather? Yes, according to the Red Cross, the short answer to that question is you should.
Your pipes will eventually thaw on their own, but this will take at least a few hours or potentially several days, depending on where the pipe is located and the air temperature around it.
One of the first signs homeowners will notice is a lack of water coming out of their faucets. If multiple faucets are not producing water, it is time to seek plumbing repair. When this is occurring, it means the water has frozen in part of the pipe and the pressure is no longer high enough to push water through.
Thawing Frozen Pipes
While you wait, reduce water pressure by opening all the faucets inside the home one-quarter turn. Water will begin to trickle out, helping the ice to thaw. Remember to close all faucets after full water pressure is restored.
Turn the Heat Upin the Property: You can attempt to thaw the frozen pipe by increasing the temperature in the property. Turning the thermostat up may be all that is needed to allow the ice blockage to melt.
Use a space heater, heat lamp or hair dryer to thaw the frozen length of pipe. Start looking for the frozen pipe by checking pipes along exterior walls, in basements, in crawl spaces, under sinks, in attics or any cold area of your home.
Pipe-thawing options: There are several things you can do to thaw your home's pipes. Here's a list: Probably the most popular and safest pipe-thawing option is to use hot water.
Not all frozen pipes burst. However, thawing the ice can increase the risk, as it usually worsens the problem since it raises the pressure further.
The pipes most at risk are those in unheated interior spaces such as basements, attics, and garages. But even pipes running through cabinets or exterior walls can freeze. The good news is there are some simple things you can do to keep your water running and your house dry.
The national average cost of burst pipe repair is between $200 and $1,000, with most people paying around $500 for a moderate repair with a new section of pipe added. At the low end of the spectrum, for a minor repair that doesn't involve pipe replacement, you can expect to pay $150.
Let the faucet run: Letting a faucet drip during extreme cold weather can prevent a pipe from bursting. It's not that a small flow of water prevents freezing; this helps, but water can freeze even with a slow flow. The running water will allow relief from building pressure in the pipes so they do not burst.