One common plumbing problem that you might have to deal with during cold winter days is frozen water pipes. Because freezing pipes may cause bigger problems, such as burst pipes, you need to know what to do, and address the issue right away. Property damage caused by water, including bursting pipes, is very common. Just like with most other problems, prevention is the best solution, but if it’s too late, you can at least try to reduce the damage and spend less money on repairs.

Why Do Frozen Water Pipes Burst?

Basically, frozen water increases its volume, which exerts a lot of pressure on the pipes. This may create cracks on a pipe, either at joints, which are more susceptible to bursting, or along the water pipe.

How to Repair Frozen Water Pipes

You can tell when a water pipe is freezing if it’s visible because you recognize the frost coating on its surface or you may see a bulge on its length as a result of water expanding its volume. Unfortunately, not all pipes are in a place you can see them. Some are in the walls, others in the floor, or underground. If at some point you notice that your water pressure has decreased, it might be because the pipes have frozen.

The first thing to do in case your pipes have frozen is to turn the water supply off before you start thawing a pipe to prevent flooding. However, it best to be prepared, and have a mop and towels at hand. If water starts spilling out after thawing the pipe, you can act quickly, before it does any damage. You can use a hair dryer, a heater, or a heat lamp to thaw your frozen pipe. Another way to solve the problem of a freezing water pipe is to wrap it with heat tape, which will thaw the pipe, protecting if from further freezing.

Need a Plumber?

If you’re having trouble with your water pipes, Seva Call can connect you with dependable plumbers in your local area to solve the matter quickly and effectively.