February 2, 2022 – When water freezes, the expansion puts pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes. Even strong pipes can be broken by freezing water.
Pipes that freeze most frequently are exposed to severe cold such as: swimming pool supply lines, sprinkler lines, and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets.
Pipes that run adjacent to exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also at risk of bursting.
How to Prevent Frozen Pipes
- Keep your garage doors shut to protect your water lines there.
- Open up your kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors. This allows warm air to circulate to your plumbing.
- Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature all day. This will temporarily suspend the use of lower nighttime temperatures.
- If you will be going away during cold weather, make sure to leave the heat on in your home.
How to Thaw Frozen Pipes
- If you turn on your faucet and only a trickle comes out, you’re most likely dealing with a frozen pipe.
- Keep the faucet running. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to thaw, more water will begin to flow through. Continually running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.
- Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric hairdryer or a portable space heater. You could also wrap pipes with towels soaked in hot water.
- Keep applying heat until the full water pressure returns.
- Check every other faucet in your house to find out if you have additional frozen pipes.
