Frozen Pipe Repair

Winter brings with it many traditions, from building snowmen and making gingerbread houses to picking out the perfect Christmas tree. But one thing you don’t want to make a tradition is frozen pipes!

If you don’t prepare properly, winter temperatures can lead to frozen pipes and serious plumbing damage. Thankfully, by doing some maintenance around your home, you can effectively prepare your plumbing system for colder weather.

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The Danger of Frozen Pipes

When frozen pipes burst, high repair bills follow close behind. Just one burst pipe in a home running at four to eight gallons a minute can do tens of thousands of dollars in damage. Bursts can occur when the water cools several degrees below freezing in the pipe, causing ice to form. This can result in pressure building up in excess of 3000psi, which can split the pipe and lead to eventual water damage once the water is thawed in the pipe.

If it’s too late for prevention, all is not lost. Mr. Rooter Plumbing offers repair services to address damage caused by a pipe freeze. Call our plumbing professionals to schedule a service today.

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

The best way to avoid damage from a pipe freeze is to prevent it from happening in the first place. While you can’t control the weather, you can do the following to greatly reduce the likelihood of frozen pipes when the temperature dips below freezing:

• Open a faucet and allow a very small trickle of cold water to run to keep the water moving your pipes and prevent a freeze.
• Keep warm air circulating around your pipes—consider opening the under-sink cabinet to allow for more warm air to circulate.
• Place a small fan near your pipes and cabinets to keep the air moving.
• Make sure basement doors, windows, and crawl spaces are properly sealed and weather-stripped.
• Insulate your external and/or exposed pipes with necessary pipe insulation materials.
• Drain out your sprinkler system before the winter season (disconnect and drain all outdoor hoses and water spigots).
• Seal and insulate your attic and consider replacing drafty windows and doors.
• Consider installing storm windows and protective plastic coverings for colder areas.

Frozen Pipes FAQs

Can frozen pipes be fixed?

Yes, a frozen pipe can be fixed. If the pipe has yet to burst, then plumbers can manually thaw the pipes using tools, warm towels, and space heaters. If it has burst, then burst pipe repair kits and pipe replacements can help solve the issue. In general, when a burst pipe occurs, you should call a plumber who can help minimize water damage and repair the pipe correctly.

How are frozen pipes repaired?

Frozen pipes are repaired through manual thawing techniques or through burst pipe repair services. The repair method depends on the level of damage the frozen pipe sustained.

Will frozen pipes thaw on their own?

Eventually, frozen pipes will thaw on their own, but it’s better to thaw them quickly if possible. Gentle heat sources like a space heater or warm towels can help thaw frozen pipes.

Call Mr. Rooter to Repair Damage Caused by Frozen Pipes

If you’ve already sustained some damage from frozen pipes, it’s important to act fast. Fixing frozen pipes before they burst and cleaning up after a burst pipe quickly can save you thousands in restoration costs.

When you have frozen pipes, Mr. Rooter Plumbing is just a call away. Call us now to schedule a service today. We also offer other plumbing services like sewer line repair and more.