Avoid Frozen Pipes

By Joe Dirt


If you follow a few tips you shouldn't have to fret about frozen pipes. Nonetheless, occasionally a sudden cold spell in the night can catch you by surprise and freeze the water in a pipe leading to the outside of the house. The danger is that you will not notice it, since you won't be using the out side faucet and then the expanding ice in the pipes will rupture the line.

If there's frost and you can not remember to close off the water to outside faucets, do so at the 1st opportunity. After closing the valve in the pipe leading to the outside tap, open the tap and permit the water in the pipe to flow out. If no water comes out, the pipe could already be frozen.

Frozen pipes can occur in unheated spaces in your home. It can occur next to an open window, in a basement, and in an attic. You ought to be aware when you turn on a faucet and water trickles out. Don't open windows near radiators or pipes and keep basements heated at least a touch in any part containing water pipes.

If you notice that your pipes are frozen you can take a hot towel, a heating pad, an electrical hair dryer, or any source of heat you have available. If the room is warm, you can just let nature take it's course.

If a water pipe is frozen, find the location of the ice by running your hand along the pipe until you find the coldest spot. First, open the faucet. Then apply heat to the frozen pipe at the coldest spot. You can use a small propane torch, just be careful of the walls and surrounding areas. If you use a propane torch in can boil the water and the steam can rupture a pipe. Ensure you turn on a tap to permit the built up air to flee. Once the ice loosens up run some lukewarm water through the pipes and look for any leaks. If you do discover leaks you can simply solve the problem yourself using shark bites or if you don't feel at ease you may have to call in a local plumber to fix the pipes.

You can help forestall many leaks by warming up your chillier areas of your home. You can get frost free hose bibs for all your exterior taps, wrap all your pipes in insulation and when it gets truly cold you can turn on a light in your cellar. It may heat just enough to keep your pipes from bursting.




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