Winter time is here and the weather is getting colder. It’s time to think about your pipes. When the temperatures drop below freezing, your pipes are subject to freezing too. When water gets cold enough to freeze, it starts to expand and puts pressure on your pipes. This may become too much for the pipe to handle and it can break or burst open, potentially costing you thousands of dollars in repairs. If you know that there are frozen pipes in your home, don’t hesitate to call our Mississauga plumbers right away.
How Can I Tell If My Pipes Are Frozen?
If you turn on a faucet in your home and little to now water comes out, then you’re probably experiencing a frozen pipe. Interior pipes are less likely to freeze so this is often caused by pipes outside your home or within walls that have little insulation. These pipes require extra car in the winter month in Mississauga.
If I Find The Frozen Pipe, What Can I try To Do To Fix It?
Most common ways to treat frozen pipes in your home are listed below. They can be effective if you’ve caught the freeze in time. Remember if you do find a frozen pipe and it’s cracked or bulging, please call our Mississauga plumbers for help.
When trying the methods below, make sure to keep the faucet open or on so that when the ice starts to melt it has somewhere to go instead of further clogging your pipes.
Electric Heater: A portable space heater will work well heating up the surrounding area around the frozen pipe. Be sure to not have it too close to the pipe and always keep an eye on the heater, it shouldn’t be left alone.
Heating Pads: Electric heating pads or blankets can be wrapped on the frozen pipe area.
Hair Dryer: With a hair dryer you can easily point it at the frozen section of the pipe until you notice water flowing from the faucet again. It may take you some time and patience, so be prepared to stand near the pipe for a while.
Towels: Similar to heating pads, you can also soak towels in hot water and wrap them on the frozen pipe section. Be sure to have extra dry towels under the part of the pipe you’re heating up to collect any water that may drip.
If you’re unable to effectively thaw your pipes then please give our Mississauga plumbers a call. It can ultimately save you from costly plumbing repairs in the future.
