What To Do When You have frozen pipes
Take care of your pipes
Making sure your pipes are insulated and ready for a cold snap is extremely important. Start early so you are prepared for an early arrival of winter and prevent frozen pipes.
If you live in the home full time, when the temperatures are going to dip below freezing you can open your taps to allow a small flow of water through the faucet. Moving water does not freeze as fast. You will also want to protect the pipes with sufficient insulation.
If your home or cabin is a vacation home, you will want to take some further steps. When your home is going to be empty, make sure to turn the water off and to drain all of the pipes. Some home owners will blow the excess water from their pipes using an air compressor. This is a step you can take if your cabin is a summer house and you won’t be there all winter. If you will be intermittently using the home, it is easier to put a cup or more of R.V. grade antifreeze down the drain. This type of antifreeze is generally considered safe for pipes and waste water systems.
You may think about using a heat source on your hard to get to or basement pipes to prevent freezing. Products from companies like Omega have some interesting products. We haven’t tried this yet but are thinking about it!
How to thaw your frozen pipes
If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
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.
Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.
Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you can not thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.
Learn more about winterizing your home HERE.
