Share:

When temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, it is possible for the water inside your plumbing to freeze. This will stop water from flowing to your taps and could cause a pipe to burst when the water expands while becoming ice. You will need to act quickly to avoid this common residential plumbing emergency.

What to Do When Your Plumbing Freezes

1. Locate the Affected Pipe

Your exposed plumbing is the most likely to freeze since it is the least protected from the elements. Check first the pipes in your unheated areas such as the garage, shed, or attic. A frozen pipe will be coated in frost or it may be visibly bulging, which means it may be close to bursting. You can also locate hidden frozen pipes by testing your faucets to determine which areas do not have water flow.

2. Shut Off the Water

kalispell plumbingShut off the water supply to the affected plumbing. Depending on where the pipe is, you may be able to only shut off water to a portion of the house or you may need to shut off the water main for the entire property. If the pipe does break under the pressure of the expanding ice, you don’t want the water to spill everywhere once it thaws.

3. Thaw It

If your plumbing is exposed, place a portable space heater in the area to safely thaw the water inside. You can also point a hairdryer at the pipe, starting with the frozen section closest to the faucet and moving further down the pipe as it thaws. Never use an open flame. If the affected pipe is hidden in the walls, turn up the heat in your home and place a space heater next to the wall.

Afterward, call a plumber to insulate the pipes so that the problem does not recur.

 

Frozen pipes often leak after they thaw, so bring in a plumber to inspect it. Plumb-Rite Plumbing and Heating, Inc. offers affordable and reliable plumbing repair in Kalispell, MT, and throughout the Greater Flathead Valley. Their emergency team is available around the clock if a pipe does burst. Learn more about their capabilities on their website and call (406) 257-7795 to schedule service.

tracking