With temperatures dipping into the single digits and wind chills dropping below 0, January is proving to be a chilly month here in Hagerstown. Unfortunately, those frigid temperatures can lead to several problems around your house, and many area homeowners are dealing with frozen pipes. While prevention is always the best solution to this all-too-common problem, sometimes pipes freeze despite homeowners’ best efforts. If you need to learn how to thaw a frozen pipe, you’ve come to the right place.
How to Thaw a Frozen Pipe
When you have a frozen pipe, you need to act fast to prevent it from bursting. When a pipe bursts, it unleashes a torrent of water inside your home and causes significant water damage. If your water stops flowing during cold weather, you most likely have a frozen pipe. Turn off the water to that section of plumbing or your entire home immediately. This alleviates some of the pressure and could help you avoid a mess.
Look for a pipe that is bulging or covered in frost. Pipes most commonly freeze in places like basements, crawl spaces and garages. If your pipes are not exposed, it’s best to call a plumber for assistance.
Once you’ve found where your pipe is frozen, thaw it using a hair dryer, heat gun, space heater or heat lamp. You may also want to try wrapping the frozen pipe with heat tape. Do not try to thaw a frozen pipe using a propane torch or any other type of open flame. Doing so is extremely dangerous and presents a serious fire risk.
When to Call for Help
Sometimes, frozen pipes can be thawed by homeowners without any help from a plumber. In other cases, though, professional assistance is required. If you’ve been trying to get your water flowing for a while with no success, it’s best to call in the professionals. You’ll also need to call a plumber if you discover a leak after thawing the pipe. Even a drip from a small crack in the pipe needs to be repaired immediately to prevent further damage.
At Larry & Sons, we can help with frozen water pipes. Our call center is open 24/7, so someone is always available to help you schedule an appointment. If you are having trouble with a frozen pipe or you need any other type of plumbing repair, please call (301) 733-5428 now.
