Homeowner Resources
Frozen Pipes
— Beyond the
Basics
M
ost homeowners know that
frozen pipes are bad, that
they can burst and cause a lot of
damage. The water inside pipes can
freeze when outdoor temperatures
drop below freezing, and as freezing
water expands, the pressure inside
the pipes increases which can cause
pipes to rupture.
There are three main causes of
frozen pipes: (1) quick and/or
extreme drops in temperature, (2)
poor insulation, and (3) thermostats
set too low.
Immediate Response
______________
Cape Cod
Martha’s Vineyard
Nantucket
South Eastern Mass.
Shut off water supply valves
to your washing machine if you
plan to be away from home for an
extended period of time.
How do you know your
pipes might be frozen?
It’s a bitter cold morning. You turn
on your bathroom faucet—but only
a trickle of water dribbles out. It’s a
classic sign of a frozen water pipe.
This drop in water pressure is your
warning sign that the pipes are likely
frozen.
Here are some commonly - and not
so commonly - known tips to safely
avoid disaster from frozen pipes.
General Precautions
Open kitchen and bathroom
cabinet doors. This allows your
home’s warm air to circulate around
the pipes.
Keep your thermostat at 55°F
or higher. Even better, don’t lower
your thermostat at night.
Let lukewarm water drip from
the faucet farthest from your water
meter or farthest from pipes that
have frozen in the past.
1-800-675-3622
a pinch, wrap pipes in a ¼ inch or
thicker layer of newspaper and a
layer of plastic.
Close or seal cold air openings
such as indoor valves that supply
outdoor hoses, or around or near
electrical wiring, dryer vents, and
pipes. Even a small opening can let
enough cold air in to cause a pipe
to freeze.
Insulate pipes, particularly those
on outside walls, or in areas with less
insulation like attics, crawlspaces,
and garages. Install a pipe sleeve
or UL-listed pipe-heating cable. In
Frozen water pipes can expand
and burst when they thaw, so
it’s important to locate the
frozen section(s) and thaw
gradually.
Locate frozen section in pipe:
Turn on water fixtures in various
parts of the house to identify where
water doesn’t run freely; water in
frozen lines will trickle, or not come
out at all. This will help isolate
where the problem is.
Look for exposed pipes in the area
where you suspect a frozen water
line. Frozen pipes may have frost
and will usually be much colder to
the touch than the pipes with freeflowing water.
If there is no running water in the
house, or all faucets seem to be
affected, the main water line to the
house may be frozen.
If you suspect that the frozen section
is behind a wall, consider that it may
be ruptured. You can turn up the
heat in the affected room, but know
that thawing may cause unseen
water damage behind the walls. It
may be time to call a professional.
Thawing Don’ts
If A Pipe Bursts
If using anything electric, do
NOT stand in water, or place
electrical device where it may
become exposed to water.
Shut off your home’s main water
valve. Prepare in advance—label the
valve and make sure all household
members can find it.
Always check pipes for
any signs of bulging or
cracking.
Never use open flames to thaw
pipes.
It is often recommended that you
contact a professional plumber if
you suspect frozen pipes.
Never use a propane torch on a
PVC or plastic pipe.
Should you choose to tackle the
problem on your own, here are
some important tips:
Never heat pipes past the point
where it is too hot to touch
comfortably.
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Call a plumber and a water
remediation professional.
The
plumber can repair the damage to
the pipes and check for additional
problems.
Companies that
specialize in fixing water damage
will remove the standing water
and professionally treat all types of
property, from clothing to structural
damage. When water damage
occurs, quick and professional
action can avoid unnecessary loss of
property.
Thawing Do’s
Remove any pipe insulation.
Always apply heat treatment
at the ice blockage nearest the
faucet, with the faucet in the open
position. Keep faucet open to let
thawing water and steam escape.
Slowly warm the pipe using
one of the following methods:
(1) Apply heat with a hairdryer to
the frozen portion of the pipe.
(2) Direct a space heater toward the
frozen section of pipe.
(3) Dip rags in warm water and
wrap around the frozen section.
(4) Wrap a waterproof heating
pad or electric heat tape around
the frozen pipe and follow all
manufacturer’s instructions.
Serving
Cape Cod
Martha’s Vineyard
Nantucket
South Eastern Mass.
1-800-675-3622
Immediate Response