Frozen Pipes?

If you haven’t experienced frozen pipes with our recent cold weather, chances are you won’t. But since we still have a couple of weeks of cold weather to deal with, what should you do you if your pipes freeze?

What To Do When You Have Frozen Pipes

If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, you most likely have a frozen pipe. The most common places for frozen pipes are against exterior walls or where your water enters your home through the foundation.

• Apply heat to the section of pipe where the frozen water is located using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (keep away from flammable materials) or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.

Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you cannot thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.

• Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze too.

What To Do If Your Pipes Burst?

• Locate your water main to the property and shut off the valve.
• Open the faucet at the lowest point in the home to drain remaining water from lines. This will most likely be an outside spigot.

Call or Contact the local Columbia area plumbers at Carolina Conditions if you experience frozen pipes this winter and need emergency plumbing services.