Best Practices for Safely Thawing Frozen Pipes

During the wintertime, one or more of the pipes in your home or business can freeze up, preventing water from draining normally. If left unattended, frozen pipes can burst and cause flooding throughout the property. Thawing pipes quickly can save you lots of money in expensive water damage repairs.

First, you need to determine which pipes have frozen. Turn on the faucets to make sure the water runs. If the water trickles out, chances are, you've found the frozen pipe. Check the exposed pipes underneath kitchen and bathroom sinks to find frozen plumbing pipes. Typically, frost build-up around pipes or bulging pipes signal frozen water inside.

Use a hairdryer, hot towel or a portable heater to thaw out pipes. Work from the front to the back of the frozen pipe to allow water to drain without clogging. Do not use a blow torch or other open flame device because you could damage the pipes or start a fire.

Unfortunately, frozen pipes located in walls, floors and ceilings require special equipment and skills to reach.

How to Fix Frozen Pipes

Contact Scenic City Plumbing if pipes burst or if the pipes start leaking. Turn off the main water valve to prevent further water damage. As professional plumbers in Chattanooga with years of experience, we're here to help fix, repair and replace busted pipes in your home or business.

How to Stop Pipes from Freezing :

• Prevent pipes from freezing by keeping the heat turned on or allowing faucets to drip throughout the day. You can also shut off valves to exterior hose locations to restrict water flow to those pipes. In addition, seal up any cracks or holes to prevent cold air from lowering the temperature inside your home.
• Insulate your pipes. You may use insulating materials such as tape and foam. 
• Keep bedroom and all interior doors open as well as under kitchen and lavatory cabinet doors open. 
• Heat your exposed sections of pipe with a small heat source. 
• Disconnect all garden hoses connected to the faucet to allow any water in the pipe to drain out.

If you're at home regularly, you shouldn't have to take many extra precautions, but if you plan to go away on vacation or a work trip, use these simple tips to help prevent the pipes from freezing.