WHAT TO DO IF YOUR PIPES FREEZE?

IF YOUR WATER PIPES FREEZE…

There is nothing like waking up on a cold winter’s morning and when you go to wash your hand or shower you find out your pipes are frozen!

Even if you take all of the necessary precautions you still might wake up to find a frozen pipe in your house.

The very first thing you need to do is to open the cold water faucet nearest the frozen pipe to relieve the pressure of the expanding ice. Without doing so this may cause the frozen pipe to burst.

Run a few tests. If there is only one faucet has no water, then most likely it is an internal plumbing problem not outside.

But, if there is no water at any of the faucets throughout the house, that is an indicator you have a much larger problem. First contact your local Water Company and have them come out. They need to make sure it is not a main water line busted or even a frozen water meter.

SO HOW DO YOU THAWING A FROZEN PIPE?

Let’s begin by emphasizing that you MUST be careful! Gentle heat from a light bulb, or maybe a hairdryer on warm setting is good. Remember that if this pipe is already cracked from the freeze as soon as the water thaws, it may begin to spray out everywhere! If it is hot water pipe you can be scolded by the hot water. You risk the danger of electrocution if it sprays the appliance you are using to thaw out the pipe. Never use a torch or any type of open flame.

FIND YOUR MAIN WATER CUT-OFF VALVE…

Look for this now! How many time we arrive to do a normal job and the homeowner has no idea where their indoor water shutoff valve is located. Think about if it was an emergency with water pouring out everywhere into your home. You need to know where the shutoff is immediately to quickly shut off the water.

Once you find where the shutoff valve is, please make sure everyone else who lives in your home knows where it is located in case of an emergency.