Ada Robayna-Summers - C21 Connect Realty

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Frozen pipes? Here are some suggestions on how to handle it…

While there are several things you can do to prevent your pipes from freezing, it's a different story if they have already frozen.

But how do you know if that has happened?

If you turn on the bathroom or kitchen faucet and see only a few drops or a trickle of water, this could be a sign your pipes are frozen, according to Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.

If that is the case, there are a few things you can do to thaw your pipes:

Turn on the faucet - Keep it running. Allowing the faucet to drip even slightly can help prevent a pipe from bursting.

Apply heat to the frozen area - Slowly apply heat using a hair dryer. Direct air close to the faucet end of the pipe and gradually move toward the coldest section.

Be careful not to overheat the hair dryer or blow a fuse. Make sure not to use a propane torch as it can damage the pipe and also poses a fire risk.

Continue to apply heat - Don’t stop heating until full water pressure is restored. Even then, it’s a good idea to leave the faucet open for a few minutes after the pipe is thawed. This will give the ice time to completely clear from the line.

Check all faucets and prevent pipes from freezing in the future - Examine each faucet in your home for any other frozen pipes. One frozen pipe may mean that others have been affected as well.
It will likely take around 30 minutes for pipes to thaw.

However, this may vary depending on how cold it is, how long the pipe has been frozen and its location.

If you're not successful with any of the above steps, you'll want to call a plumber for help.