How Do You Thaw a Frozen Water Pipe?
If you turn your faucet on and only a trickle of water comes out, you may have a frozen water pipe on your hands.
The most common place to discover a frozen water pipe to occur is against an exterior wall or around the area where water enters into the home through the foundation. In this blog post, we will discuss how to properly thaw a frozen water pipe.
How to Thaw a Frozen Water Pipe:
- Keep the faucet open
- Apply heat to the frozen section of the water pipe
- Continue to apply heat until the water pressure is restored
Keep the Faucet Open
As you begin to treat the frozen pipe, water will start to flow through the frozen section. It is important to keep the faucet open as the running water will help to melt the ice blockage.
Apply Heat to the Pipe
We recommend using an electric heating pad, electric hair dryer, portable space heater or towels soaked in hot water to apply heat to the pipe. DO NOT use a propane heater, blowtorch or other open flame device.
Continue to Apply Heat
It is important to continue to apply heat to the pipe until the water pressure is fully restored. If you are unable to locate or reach the frozen section of the pipe, you will need to call a licensed plumber.
How to Prevent Frozen Water Pipes:
- Properly insulate water pipes
- Disconnect water hose from outdoor spigot
- Insulate and heat drain lines
Insulate Water Pipes
Properly insulating your water pipes will prevent cold moving air and dampness from coming in contact with your pipes. That being said, this method alone does not guarantee the water in the pipes will not freeze. Rather, this method helps to slow down the transfer rate of heat to cold.
Disconnect Water Hose from Outdoor Spigot
Before the temperature drops below freezing, always remember to disconnect your water hose from the outdoor spigot. If it is not disconnected, the water inside the hose can freeze and continue back into the spigot until it reaches the pipe. Any pipe that is frozen has the potential to burst and cause major damage to your home.
Insulate and Heat Drain Lines
Insulating and heating your drain lines in cold crawl spaces and basements is very important. Focus a heat lamp on the drain p-trap will help prevent the water from freezing.
As a homeowner, preparing your water pipes should be on your to-do list before the cold season begins in Vancouver. The preventative steps will ensure your home stays warm, dry and damage-free when the temperate drops below freezing.
A frozen water pipe burst can turn a cozy night in your home into a bad situation, fast. If you think you have a frozen water pipe, call your local heating and plumbing experts from Universal Plumbing and Heating.
We offer 24/7 emergency repair services. Call us today at 604-873-3551.
