How To Thaw Frozen Pipes

12/5/2019 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of North Coast is you experience burst pipes in your home.

If you turn on your faucet and notice only a little trickle coming out, it's safe to say you have a frozen pipe. If you suspect that the pipes are frozen, be careful when thawing the pipe out because if the pipe has already burst, the water will start flowing out into your home causing a flood.

If you notice that the pipe has been broken, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve. If the water is still running and no sign of burst pipes, follow the steps below.

• Turn on your faucet. As you start to heat the frozen pipe and the ice plug begins to melt, the water needs to be able to flow through. Running water through the pipe, as cold as it is, will help melt ice in the pipe.
• Heat the section of the pipe. Use an electric heating pad to wrap around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, or a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or wrap the pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Avoid using any device with an open flame, the high heat can damage the pipes and even start a fire.
• Apply heat until the full water pressure is restored. Check all other faucets in your home. If one pipe is frozen, it is very likely that others may have frozen too.
• If you are unable to locate the frozen pipes, call a licensed plumber.