Nampa Frozen Pipes Caldwell How To Unfreeze & Prevent Bursts

Frozen Pipes: How To Unfreeze & Prevent

A frozen pipe can go from a small inconvenience to water pouring into your home if the pipe cracks or bursts.

The pipes most at risk are usually the ones closest to the cold: plumbing in crawl spaces, garages, exterior walls and other areas that do not get much heat.

A little preparation before temperatures drop can make a big difference.

How to Fix Frozen Pipe Burst

If the frozen section is exposed and you can safely reach it, keep the affected faucet open and slowly warm the pipe.

You can use:

• A hair dryer
• An electric heating pad
• Warm towels

Never use a torch or other open flame to thaw plumbing, and do not use electrical heating equipment around standing water.

Stay nearby while the pipe thaws and watch for leaks. A pipe damaged by freezing may not start leaking until the ice inside begins to melt and water starts flowing again.

If you cannot find the frozen section, cannot safely reach it or believe the pipe may have burst, call Magic Plumbing, we offer emergency 24/7 services.

If you see water leaking from a cracked or burst pipe, shut off your home's main water supply.

If the pipe thaws successfully but temperatures are still extremely cold, leaving a small trickle of water running may help keep the line from freezing again.

7 Ways to Help Prevent Frozen Pipes

1. Insulate Exposed Pipes

Pipes running through crawl spaces, garages or other cold areas can benefit from pipe insulation.

Foam pipe sleeves and properly installed heat cable can give vulnerable plumbing additional protection when temperatures fall.

2. Disconnect Your Garden Hoses

Do not leave a garden hose connected through the winter.

Disconnect and drain hoses before freezing weather arrives. If your home has a separate shutoff for outdoor faucets or irrigation lines, those systems may also need to be drained or winterized.

3. Keep the Heat On

Your plumbing still needs protection when you leave town.

Keep your home heated during freezing weather. If you are going away, the American Red Cross recommends keeping the thermostat at 55°F or higher.

4. Get Warm Air to Pipes Under Sinks

Kitchen and bathroom plumbing can be hidden inside cabinets against cold exterior walls.

Opening the cabinet doors during extremely cold weather allows warmer household air to circulate around those pipes.

5. Let Vulnerable Faucets Drip

When temperatures become extremely cold, a small trickle of water from a faucet connected to vulnerable plumbing may help reduce the chance of freezing.

You do not need every faucet in the house running. Focus on plumbing that is exposed to colder areas.

6. Keep Cold Air Out

Sometimes the problem is not insulation around the pipe. It is freezing air getting to it.

Check around foundations, crawl spaces and exterior penetrations for cold drafts. Keep garage doors closed when water lines run through the garage and seal gaps that allow freezing air to reach plumbing.

7. Know Your Problem Areas and Your Shutoff

If a pipe has frozen before, there may be an insulation problem, air leak or especially cold section of plumbing that needs attention.

This is also a good time to locate your home's main water shutoff. If a pipe ever cracks or bursts, knowing where it is can help you stop the water quickly.

Frozen Pipe Repair Service

Where Are Pipes Most Likely to Freeze? Start with plumbing located in colder or poorly insulated areas.

• Crawl spaces and garages
• Pipes along exterior walls
• Plumbing under sinks
• Outdoor faucets and hose lines

Older homes, outdoor additions and pipes that have frozen before deserve extra attention.

How Do You Know If a Pipe Is Frozen?

One of the first signs may be surprisingly simple: you turn on a faucet and little or no water comes out.

If temperatures are below freezing and other faucets are working normally, there may be ice blocking that section of plumbing.

Check your other faucets too. If one pipe has frozen, another vulnerable section of plumbing may be frozen as well.

Frozen Pipes Plumber Nampa & Boise

Magic Plumbing can inspect vulnerable plumbing, repair damaged pipes and help homeowners and businesses prepare for freezing weather throughout Nampa, Boise, Meridian, Caldwell and the Treasure Valley.

And when a frozen or burst pipe cannot wait, 24/7 emergency plumbing service is available.

Call Magic Plumbing today to get your plumbing ready for the next Idaho freeze.