What to Do If Your Pipes Freeze

If your pipes are frozen and possibly broken (water expands roughly 9 percent when it freezes), the last thing you want to hear is “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” You need a quick solution to the problem.

Here’s what to do if your pipes freeze:

1. Keep the faucet open. As water starts to flow, it will help melt the ice in the frozen pipes.
2. Heat the frozen pipe with a heating pad or hair dryer. Do not use open flames such as torches. As bad as frozen pipes are, you don’t want to make it worse by burning down your house.
3. Heat the area near the pipe with a space heater. Make sure there’s nothing flammable near it and follow the operating instruction manual for safety.
4. If you cannot find the frozen area in the pipes, you might have a plumbing emergency on your hands. Time to call in the professionals to diagnose and fix the problem.

To prevent future freezes, employ the following tips:

1. Schedule an appointment with a professional plumber for a comprehensive inspection.
2. Insulate your pipes, an inexpensive solution that prevents costly repairs.
3. Slowly drip water from the cold faucet that runs from the exposed pipes.
4. Don’t set the thermostat too low at night; keep the temperature a bit warmer.
5. If you are going to be out of town, set your thermostat to no lower than 55 degrees.
6. Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors so warm air can circulate.
7. Cover any outdoor faucets with insulated covers.
8. Keep garage doors closed.

Mr. Plumber has been serving the Atlanta metro area for decades. If you need a water heater, plumbing, drain, or sewage services, turn to the experts at Mr. Plumber. When you invite one of our licensed plumbers into your Atlanta home, you can expect quality workmanship and satisfaction guaranteed. Contact Mr. Plumber today or schedule an appointment online!