Frozen Pipes: What to Do

Frozen pipes is a common and a very menacing phenomenon in winters. In most of the northern US, the entire Alaska and Canada, households face this common problem every now and then. Amidst cries of global warming, this winter suddenly we encountered temperatures dropping to subzero levels, more often than compared to the last few years. Even the southern parts of the country were caught in the chill and that exposed many infrastructural shortcomings, for which the southerners were not geared up. Most people are caught unawares, and there's just one helpless feeling when they encounter frozen pipes, what to do? Just one option remains, thawing.

We are familiar with the process of thawing frozen food, and thawing of pipes ain't gonna be a lot different. Even though the principle of thawing to be applied is the same, frozen pipes are not as easy to thaw as frozen food is. Another difference between the two is that to thaw pipes that are frozen, it takes a lot of technique and skill, something that you don't need while entering the kitchen!

How do Pipes Freeze?

Glad you had this query! How can something that is not in a liquid state, freeze? So, let me tell you, when we talk of frozen pipes, it is the water inside it that we're talking about, not the pipe itself. In subzero temperatures, especially at night when the faucets are shut, the still water inside it freezes to become ice. Trouble starts when the ice block becomes thicker and blocks the pipe thereby preventing the flow of unfrozen water. Losing water supply is just one of the plumbing problems to be dealt with. When temperatures drop subzero, water has a property of expanding in volume, whereas the pipe material contracts. With the container and the contents battling against each other, the ice proves to be invincible and the pipe gives way. Frozen pipes bursting is the worst result of pipe freezing. The only cure if this happens is replacing the entire segment of the damaged pipe. But if the state of your frozen pipe plumbing hasn't deteriorated that much, you can easily thaw frozen pipes to restore your plumbing functionality.

What to Do If Pipes are Frozen?

Instead of regretting the ignorance, it is time to take a look at the cure. But, first of all, you need to locate the area where the water is frozen and turn off the main water supply. The most likely places are where pipes run against exposed surfaces of walls or where the plumbing enters the home near the beam structure close to the foundation. Here are some points to take into consideration:

• As a prerequisite, keep most of the faucets open. This is done because as we commence to thaw frozen pipe, the ice begins to melt. The molten water starts to flow out through the frozen area and this flowing water through the rest of the pipe will assist in melting more ice pipe. This water should be allowed to flow out to speed up the thawing precess.
• The most common and feasible method to thaw frozen water pipes is by using electric hair driers, steam irons or a heat lamp. While thawing pipes with such heating equipment, start from the frozen area closest to the open faucet and then move away from it toward the farthest end.
• Do not use a propane heater, a blowtorch or some open flame device for this purpose. This will heat the pipe too quickly and may cause the melting water to start boiling and cause the pipe to rupture.
• Another way is to heat some water to a lukewarm temperature and pour it on to the frozen area. It is advisable not to overheat the water till it starts boiling, and heat it only till it gets lukewarm. However, if you want to speed up the process, you can do it by using boiled water and pour it over rags of some cloth wrapped around a frozen area on the pipe. Pouring boiling water directly over the frozen pipe is unacceptable for risk of pipe bursting.
• Keep applying the heat till the restoration of full water pressure is observed through the faucet. In case one cannot locate the frozen pipe or the frozen area is inaccessible or due to some reasons you are unable to thaw the pipe it is advisable to call a licensed plumber.
• Do not stop after you're done with one area. Inspect all remaining faucets in your home to determine, if there are more pipes that are frozen. If one pipe can freeze, there's a large probability that others can freeze as well.

Prevention

There are some ways you can spare your plumbing from freezing. Some of these ways can be implemented before the plumbings have been laid down, or if your existing pipes are prone to freezing, surely you'll have uninterrupted water supply the next winter. Keep following points in mind to prevent frozen pipes:

• The best measure is to turn off the main water supply whenever you're not going to use water for a long time, like while going for a vacation or before sleeping on a freezing night.
• Take out, drain off and store the outdoor hosepipe used for watering the garden or car washing. Keep the hosepipe valves open, so as to allow the remaining water in the pipe to expand freely without any exertion on the pipe and prevent bursting.
• Some homes have plumbings installed or passing through the garage. Keep the garage doors shut whenever possible to prevent exposure to chilled air, if there are water pipelines passing through the garage.
• Keep kitchen and bathroom storage cabinet doors open to allow warm air to flow around the pipes. In most of the homes, harmful cleaners and household chemicals are stored in such cabinets. Make sure to relocate them to some safe place out of kids reach.
• In extremely freezing temperatures, allow the water to drip from the faucet. By making the pipes to carry running water - even at a trickle - it helps prevent the water from freezing. This is because flowing water carries more energy and the temperature remains always above the freezing point. Here, if you worry about water conservation and all that crap, then let me remind you that here you will be saving more water when you prevent the drip.
• Survey the area around your home where plumbing lines are located exposed to freezing air currents. Check the basement, crawlspace and attic. Insulate the water pipes in these areas without ignoring the hot water pipes. A hot water pipeline can also freeze, similar to a cold water line if the water in it is not flowing through and is still for a long duration and the pipe chilling from outside.
• If your home is still under-construction, make sure you install insulated products aimed at insulating water pipes from the chill. You can consider adding 'pipe sleeve' or installing UL-listed tapes or similar materials on open plumbings. Make sure your contractor follows manufacturer's guidelines while installing and using these products.
• In case you receive water from a well, turn off the water pump and drain it dry. Clean and drain the overground pumping lines and the tank, if there is one.

Remember never to use any antifreeze as a preventive method. Antifreeze chemicals are harmful to the environment and there's chance of antifreeze poisoning in humans, pets, wildlife, and landscaping.

So, I hope with this take, you can hope to overhaul frozen pipes in your home. The above steps when implemented successfully, can surely help you concentrate more on Christmas and new year's preparations rather than worrying about the plumbings.