Solutions to Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes are one of the worst plumbing emergencies you can deal with. The first step is to recognize the issue, with symptoms such as:

Water blockage or slow trickle when running the faucet.
Foul odor from the drain or faucet.
Frost forming on pipes.
Bulging or cracked pipes.

If you notice any of these signals, act fast and call an emergency plumber, as frozen pipes can cause many issues in your plumbing system.

Effects of Frozen Pipes

Knowing the effects of frozen pipes can help you understand the severity of the emergency. If you note a frosted, cracked, or bulging pipe, it’s probably frozen or burst. These can stop your daily activities and cause various other issues around your home. For example, they halt your heating system, which means you won’t have any hot water. Frozen pipes also burst pretty quickly, leading to leaks or even flooding. As a result, you may end up facing mold or water damage around the home. It’s crucial to act fast when dealing with frozen pipes, as their effects can be instant.

Causes of Frozen Pipes

To prevent frozen pipes in the future, it can help to understand what caused them in the first place. We all know that water expands at low temperatures, putting tremendous pressure on the pipes containing the water. Even if you have incredibly robust metal or plastic pipes, they can’t withstand the effects of expansion in the winter. As the ice continues to expand within the pipes, they will eventually crack and burst, leaking or flooding water into your home. If your pipes often freeze, it may be due to the following:

Continuous exposure to extremely cold weather, such as water sprinkler lines, swimming pool supply lines, outdoor hose bibs, etc.
Placement in unheated interior areas, such as attics, garages, crawl spaces, cabinets, basements, etc.
Placement on exterior walls with little to no insulation.

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

While you can’t fix frozen pipes without the help of a professional, you can take certain measures to prevent them in the future. Here are a few actions to take before the winter arrives to prevent your pipes from freezing:

Properly insulate unheated interior areas, such as attics, garages, crawl spaces, cabinets, basements, etc. This can prevent your water supply from freezing in low temperatures.
When not in use, drain and remove your outdoor hoses before storing them inside. It’s also better to shut off all interior valves supplying the outdoor hose bib but leave the hose bib open to let water drain freely. Keeping the outside valve open will ensure that all remaining water in the pipe is able to expand freely without cracking or bursting the pipe with pressure.
Follow the manufacturer’s or installer’s instructions thoroughly before draining water from your water sprinkler supply line and swimming pool. It’s best not to use anti-freeze until stated in the instructions, as it can cause environmental harm. Additionally, antifreeze is harmful to pets, wildlife, humans, and landscaping.
Look for unheated areas around the system where water supply lines may be fitted, including kitchen and bathroom cabinets, the garage, or the attic. All pipes, whether for hot or cold water, should be insulated properly.
If your piping system is exposed and frozen pipes are too frequent, it may be better to consider relocation with the help of a plumbing professional.
Invest in dedicated products for insulating water pipes, such as pipe sleeves, heat cables, or UL-listed heat tapes. Alternatively, you may use newspapers to provide a certain degree of insulation for exposed pipes when you’re on a budget.

How to Thaw Frozen Pipes

Before the emergency plumber arrives, you can follow certain steps to thaw your frozen pipes and improve the situation.

Trickling faucets are a clear sign of frozen pipes. If the emergency plumber has arrived and started working on the frozen pipes, it’s best to keep the faucet running. This will allow the water to flow through the frozen area even after a small part of the pipe thaws. This flow of water can help make it easier to thaw the rest of the pipes.
Use an electric heating pad to apply heat to various sections of the system by wrapping it around the pipe. You may also use a portable space heater or electric hair dryer, making sure to keep them away from flammable materials. It’s crucial never to use a charcoal stove, propane heater, blowtorch, or any other open-flame device to thaw the pipes. If you’re on a budget, you may wrap the pipes in a towel soaked in warm water.
If your piping system is entirely exposed, you may be able to thaw the frozen pipes yourself as long as nothing is cracked or burst. The simplest solution is to apply uniform heat until water is freely flowing through the pipes. However, if your pipes are not accessible, it’s best to call an emergency plumber.

What to Do About Burst Pipes in Overland Park

Frozen pipes can quickly become burst pipes, which cause leakage and even flooding. It’s best to act fast with this plumbing emergency, but if you’re already too late, you can shut off the main valve to prevent flooding. The next step is to call an emergency plumber to arrive at your home as soon as possible. Our team of plumbers at Plumbing Services Overland Park will start working on your frozen pipe system right away, so you don’t have to worry about water damage, mold, or mildew. Plus, our plumbers are licensed, experienced, and background-checked, so you can count on stress-free solutions every time. If flooding has already occurred, your homeowner’s insurance policy may be able to cover the water damage while we work on fixing the pipes. Call us today to fix frozen pipes quickly.