Simple Steps of Dealing with a Frozen Pipe

Water problems can be so irritating at times, especially during winter. Therefore, when you open up your tap and find no water, the first thing to do is check the other taps in the house. If there is no water at all, confirm with your next door neighbour. It could be a problem with the main supply pipe. However, if your other taps function, then you probably have a frozen pipe. Below are some guidelines you could follow to fix frozen pipes.

Determine the Blockage Location

The first thing you need to do when faced with a frozen pipe problem is to identify where the blockage is coming from. Gently run your fingers along the pipe to check for ice. If you do not find any, run the palm of your hand down slowly once again as you compare the coldness of different sections. The blockage will likely be from the coldest part. For safety, you can use a pair of thin rubber gloves. Once you find it, cover the items close to your work area to avoid damages from potential spillage.

Turn off the Stop Cock

Once you identify the blockage, turn off the stop cock if you are using a water tank or the main stop tap for direct connections to the main supply. This tap should be located under your kitchen sink, or in your basement or attic.

Turn on the Closest Tap

After turning off the stop tap, open up the tap that is nearest to the blockage. You need to do this so as to dispose of any melted water that may occur during the repair process.

Carefully Defrost

Once you have completed the above step, defrost the affected area. What you want is to warm gradually and avoid heating up the pipe. Using a hair dryer set at minimum heat, gently thaw the pipe from the tap side toward the blockage. You need to be prepared for water leakages or splashes, because the frozen ice could have cracked some part of the pipe.

Deal with the Burst Pipe

If you find a burst pipe, the best thing to do is contact your emergency plumber. However, you can tightly tie the cracked area with duct tape as you wait for your plumber.

Run Your Taps

The final step is to close the nearest tap that was open, turn on the stop cock, and then reopen the closest tap once more. Your water flow should be restored to normal. Let the water run and clear off any tiny ice particles before use.

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