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Some things are better when they’re cold or frozen, but your pipes aren’t one of those things. Frozen pipes act as clogged pipes at best, and at worst, they’ll explode and cost you a lot of money in damage repair. If your pipes are frozen this winter, here are a few things you can do.
Open Your Faucets
While this may seem like a waste of water, running your faucets for a while can help you thaw the ice. The water, especially warmer water, traveling through the pipes can help make the ice melt, making this an effective way to unfreeze your pipes.
Apply Heat
If you know exactly which pipe is frozen and where, you can thaw it out the old-fashioned way by applying heat to it until the ice melts. Just remember that there are good and bad ways to heat your pipes.
Acceptable heating sources include:
- A hairdryer
- An electric heating pad or heated blanket
- Hot washcloths
- A portable space heater
Meanwhile, you should never try and heat your pipes with an open flame, such as:
- A blowtorch
- A propane heater
- A charcoal stove or grill
- A lighter
Check for Other Problems
If you have a frozen pipe, it’s a good idea to make sure the rest of your pipes are still okay. Use this time to look for leaks or signs of water damage, assess whether your other pipes also need some thawing, and make sure your water heater is working correctly.
Get a Plumber’s Help
The best way to handle a frozen pipe is to call a professional and let them fix it. This is especially true if the freezing caused any sort of pipe damage, or if you’re unsure where the frozen pipe is. Your plumber can check for you and repair any other damage you may have at the same time. D. Rohde Heating, Plumbing & AC can help you thaw your frozen pipes this winter. Contact us today.
