Frozen Pipes

If you have frozen pipes in your home, you may need to call a plumber, but before spending several hundred dollars doing so, it’s worth trying these ideas.

Once you have identified which pipe is frozen, you’ll need to open both the hot and cold faucets before trying anything. This allows the water to escape once you have thawed the pipe and the pressure in the system has been relieved.

Applying a heat source to a frozen pipe is one of the easiest ways to thaw it, as long as the pipe is accessible. You can thaw frozen pipes using a hair dryer, a portable space heater or hot towels and once you see a full flow of water from the faucet, you’ll know the task is complete. Your local DIY store also sells electric pipe heat tape, tape containing heating elements that can thaw frozen pipes or be used to prevent freezing.

Thawing out an unexposed pipe isn’t quite as easy. Placing an infrared lamp in front of the section of frozen pipe is one solution, as is simply turning up the heat in that part of the house. And removing a section of wall will make the pipe accessible and easier to thaw, if it’s something you are able to do yourself.

However, you may need to call a professional plumber or contractor if you can’t identify the freeze yourself, or can’t thaw it out. A plumber will typically use an infrared lamp to thaw your pipe, and will also be able to advise on what exactly is causing your frozen pipe, and any recommended preventative steps to take.

There are several steps you can take yourself to prevent frozen pipes, including leaving your faucets dripping, turning the heat up in your home and ensuring that any holes and cracks are sealed