Few things strike fear into a homeowner like a frozen pipe. If ignored, the pressure created by freezing water can damage even the strongest of pipes, and, once ruptured, that pipe becomes a ticking time bomb. When a Thaw a Frozen Pipe thaws, it can dump gallons upon gallons of water into your home, potentially destroying valuables and causing thousands of dollars’ worth of damage.
Fortunately, you can avoid a winter nightmare by learning how to identify a frozen pipe and defrost it before it bursts and damages your home. Read on to learn more.
What You Will Need:
- 5-gallon bucket
- Mop
- Towels
- Small space heater or hair dryer
Step 1: Locate the frozen pipe.
If you don’t know which pipe is frozen, open all the faucets in your home. If water doesn’t reach a particular faucet, follow its plumbing lines away from the fixture, feeling the pipe every couple of feet. Once you find a pipe that feels ice cold, you’ve located the affected area. If none of the faucets in your home are getting a flow of water (or barely a trickle), the problem may be with the main water supply line which is typically located in the basement or crawl space on the side of the house facing the street.
Step 2: Turn off water to the house.
Once you’ve located the frozen pipe, turn the main water supply valve clockwise to its “off” position. Then, turn on the water at all the faucets and tub spouts to drain any remaining water from the system. Flush all toilets, too. Grab a bucket, mop, and a couple bath towels you don’t mind ruining and bring them to the frozen pipe.
Step 3: Thaw the frozen pipe.
Use a hair dryer or small space heater to apply heat to the frozen pipe. If you have neither, pour hot water over a towel and drape it over the length of the frozen pipe. Begin heating near the edge of the frozen area, on the side closest to the nearest kitchen or bathroom so that any steam or water generated by the heat can escape the pipe. Inch along the frozen pipe one section at a time if using a hair dryer or position a space heater at the nearest accessible area. Be patient as it could take up to 45 minutes to thaw a frozen pipe, depending on the weather, where the pipe is located, and how long it’s been frozen.
Step 4: Check for leaks.
Once you are confident the pipe has thawed, return to the main water supply valve and turn it on partially. Head back to the pipe and inspect it for leaks. If it did rupture, turn off the supply again and call a plumber ASAP. Then clean up any mess with a mop and towels. If the pipe appears to be moving water properly with no signs of leaks, turn the water supply all the way on and close any faucets or spouts that are still open.
If you’re dealing with frozen pipes or any other plumbing emergency, call the plumbing professionals at Norhio today. For high-quality plumbing repairs, routine maintenance, and expert installation, Norhio Plumbing is on the job day or night to ensure your complete satisfaction.
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