Archive for month: December, 2012

What to do if your pipe’s Freeze:

If you have frozen pipes, before thawing, you are going to have to take some precautions.

First… turn off the water supply. Second…call a professional plumber, to assess the situation and determine the extent of the damage.
The plumber will be able to determine the cause of the frozen pipes and then devise a plan to thaw the pipes.

It’s important that frozen pipes be thawed slowly and carefully to prevent bursting of the pipes.
If you already have a broken pipe, the plumber will need to make the necessary repairs.
As the plumber thaws or repairs your frozen pipes, he can address the lack of insulation that caused the problem in the first place. He may recommend foam pipe wraps or heating tape if the area is subject to severe cold.

While at your home, ask the plumber to inspect all of your pipes and other areas of your house so that future problems can be avoided.

Frozen pipes require a slow thawing process. It will be necessary to open a few faucets in order to allow the melting water to escape. It is very important not to heat the pipe until it is hot.
In order to prevent pipes from freezing during the cold winter months, you should shut-off the water specifically to the pipes that supply water to the outside faucets. The faucets and pipes that are closest to the outside elements have the best chance of freezing.

Also, if you allow a slow drip from some of your inside faucets, it will help keep water flowing through the pipes making it harder to freeze during the extremely cold weather.
And most important disconnect all hoses that are attached to your outside hose bibs. This will prevent freeze damage from inside the wall.