Frozen Pipe Warning Signs And How to Unfreeze Them
Frozen Pipe Warning Signs And How to Unfreeze Them
Hire A Professional To Fix Your Frozen Pipe
If you don’t have a professional fix your frozen pipe , it will break and flood your home. The longer the pipe is frozen, the more water will leak out, costing you more money and damaging your property. You also want your walls to stay dry. Good thing Ferrari Plumbing Inc. is here to help with your plumbing needs . Dial (630) 260-5898 to get a quote today and learn more about our discount !
Our trained technicians will look at all of your property’s areas that could be affected by this problem. After that, we’ll make a plan to make sure you don’t have to worry about anything. Visit our FAQs and reviews page for more details.
7 Frozen Pipe Warning Signs That You Should Call A Plumber
The freezing of pipes is a major concern for homeowners. They can do a lot of damage to your property and your bank account. Some signs will tell you when it starts to freeze, which is good news.
Here are some of the most frequent signs:
1. A Crackling Noise When You Turn On A Faucet
This noise is made by frozen pipes that are now expanding and contracting. This is also called a “water hammer.” You can hear it as it moves through your home’s plumbing system. Call a plumber right away if you hear this noise. There’s a chance that your pipes have frozen or are about to.
2. Water Leaking From An Outside Spigot Or Drainpipe
Suppose water leaks from a faucet or drainpipe outside. This means that water has gotten stuck in the pipe and frozen. Because there is snow on top, you might not see it at first. However, if there is a leak, you should contact a plumber immediately to avoid further damage.
3. A Higher Than Average Water Bill
If your water bill has been higher than usual for a few months, it may be because of frozen pipes. When it freezes, it gets bigger, putting pressure on the pipe’s inside. When the pipe thaws, this pressure forces water out quickly, causing it to leak or break as soon as possible.
4. Water Stains Or Wet Areas On Walls
If small drips or large pools of water come from above or below ground, your pipes have broken. If you don’t fix this right away, water can do a lot of damage to your property. If you see this sign, you should call a plumber right away.
5. Water Pressure Is Low In One Area Of Your Home
When water freezes in a pipe, it expands and ruptures it as well as the one that connects to the faucet. If the lines do freeze, pressure will go out in some places. You can see that the water pressure is low all over the house. Pay attention to this problem. Instead, call a plumber right away to stop it from getting worse.
6. The Toilet Won’t Flush
It could be because the pipe behind it is frozen if your toilet doesn’t flush. Before any other part of your plumbing system freezes. The water line that goes to the bathroom will because it goes through a wall that keeps heat in.
7. Frozen Meter Base
If the base of your meter is frozen, your pipes may be too. The part of the meter that connects to your house should feel warm when you touch it.
Even though avoiding frozen pipes and water lines is easy, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. By looking out for these early warning signs, you can catch a problem before it worsens.
Steps To Unfreeze A Frozen Pipe
The first thing to do is figure out if it is just cold water or solid ice, if it is frozen. If you can’t turn the tap on or off, it’s probably because the pipe is frozen. Follow the steps below to unfreeze it:
Step 1: Shut Off The Water
You’ll first want to shut off the water to your home or business. This will prevent any further damage from occurring. Once the water is shut off, open all the faucets in your home or business so that any remaining water can drain.
Step 2: Apply Heat
The next step is to apply heat to the frozen pipe. Apply the heat for several minutes until the ice starts to melt.
Here are other methods to unfreeze frozen pipe :
-
Hot Water Bottle
You can also unblock it quickly and easily with a hot water bottle. Fill the bottle halfway with hot water, wrap it in a towel, and put it against the frozen area for about 20 minutes or until all the ice has melted. This method works best if you only have one or two frozen pipes.
But if there is more than one, it could take more than 20 minutes per pipe. Because they need time to get warm enough to melt all the way. Also, ensure that all faucets are turned off before trying this method. So that cold water can’t get into it and cause more damage.
-
Heater or Hair Dryer
People often use a heater or hair dryer to get it to work again. Plug the device in, turn it on high, and point it at the frozen pipe for 15 minutes to melt the ice. Remember that this method requires you to turn off the main water supply valve. So that no more cold water can enter it and freeze them.
-
Insulated Gloves
If you don’t want to use hot water or turn off your heat source, you can use these methods to thaw out frozen pipes. Put the glove in and leave it there for 10 minutes or until all the ice has melted. Your hand’s heat will start to melt the ice inside, allowing water to flow again.
Step 3: Thaw The Pipe
Once the ice has melted, you can begin thawing out the pipe. Start at the end closest to the faucet and work towards the other end. As you thaw it, water will flow through it again. Place a bucket under it to catch any water that drips out.
Step 4: Turn On The Water
Turn on the water slowly and increase the flow as needed. Check all your faucets and fixtures to ensure they are working properly. If everything is working correctly, you should be good to go!
We hope these tips have been helpful and that you feel more confident about unfreezing a frozen pipe. If you need help with anything, please don’t hesitate to ask our team of experts at Ferrari Plumbing Inc. We’re here to help! We’re always happy to help.
How Can You Tell If It's Safe To Unfreeze A Pipe Yourself?
Unfreezing a pipe is sometimes a DIY project. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you can make things worse by freezing them even more.
If your pipes are frozen, don’t attempt to thaw them yourself. This is beyond your skill level and could cause damage to your home or personal safety. Call an experienced plumber instead.
Here’s how to unfreeze frozen pipe safely by yourself:
-
Does The Pipe Contain Water?
If there’s no water flowing through the pipe and it’s completely frozen, there’s no need to thaw it out. The best thing to do is wait until spring, when temperatures start rising again, before taking action. You can also try running hot water through the faucet closest to it. This will help melt away some of the ice in the pipe so that you can access it later when temperatures get warmer.
-
Is There Water Flowing Through The Pipe?
If water flows through your pipe but is frozen in certain areas, then you need to take action immediately! This means that there’s still some pressure inside that needs releasing so that it can flow freely again without any blockages. You’ll need to unfreeze it until water starts flowing freely again, but be careful not to push too hard, or you could cause damage to your pipes and fixtures.
The best thing to do is turn off the water at the main shut-off valve if you have a broken or frozen pipe. After that, you can assess the situation and see what needs to be done. If the line is frozen, you cannot thaw it yourself. It is best to call a professional plumber like Ferrari Plumbing Inc. to help you with your plumbing problems .
We have services that can help keep pipes from getting frozen. This can cause a lot of damage to the plumbing system in a home. Let us help you avoid making those expensive repairs. Call us at (630) 260-5898 and request a quote today!
Ferrari Plumbing Inc. Offers The Following Services:
- Clogged Drain Cleaning
- Ejector Pumps
- Faucet Repair
- Garbage Disposals
- General Plumbing
- Kitchen Plumbing
- Low-Pressure Water Problems
- Pipe Repair & Replacement
- Sump Pumps Systems
- Tankless Water Heater
- Toilet Repair
- Water Heater Repair
- Ferrari Plumbing Vendors
Other Articles We’ve Hand-Picked For You:
Frequently Asked Questions
The outside temperature may have risen sufficiently for you to sit tight and wait it out. Waiting for pipes to thaw on their own is a bad idea. Now is the time to be proactive. You risk a pipe burst every minute that ice blocks your pipes.
When the temperature outside falls below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, unprotected pipes are more likely to freeze and burst. Your pipes may still thaw without bursting. The key is gradually releasing the pressure and allowing the pipes to thaw.
Wrapping frozen pipes in thermostatically controlled heat tape (which costs between $25 and $61, depending on length) is another effective way to thaw a problem area quickly. Do not use a propane torch to thaw frozen pipes, as this poses a fire risk.
You might be tempted to wait for the pipes to thaw. But remember that the process can take days, depending on the weather. Pipes typically do not freeze until the temperature falls below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can also add salt to frozen drains. Ice melts at colder temperatures because salt lowers its melting point. Pour a tablespoon (15 mL) of salt down the drain and wait for it to dissolve the ice.
Turn on all faucets and the main water valve to ensure that water flows normally and does not leak from cracked pipes.
You might also like
Book a Service Today
Address: 1727 Stoddard Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187
Address: 777 Roosevelt Road, Suite 110, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Phone: (630) 260-5898
License Number: 055-027312
Services
Working Hours
- Mon - Sat
- Open 24 Hours
- Sunday
- -
2023 All Rights Reserved | Ferrari Plumbing, Inc. | Website Designed By TBD Marketing Co.