Help! My Pipes Are Frozen

You don’t want to imagine your pipes freezing up in your Westford home—but it’s a reality that could happen this winter. It’s critical to know how to unfreeze your pipes and learn about what you can do to save yourself another headache in the future by preventing it from happening again.

Basnett Plumbing, Heating & AC understands the importance of a properly maintained plumbing system in your home. We don’t want you to deal with the frustration of one problem after another. 

Our highly trained plumbing experts are ready to assist with any of your plumbing needs and can offer you recommendations on how to keep your pipes from freezing or bursting this winter in Massachusetts.

How Can I Thaw My Frozen Pipes?

If you turn on your shower or sink faucet but realize no water is coming out, it’s possible you have frozen pipes. If not handled properly, frozen pipes can lead to costly damage in your Westford home. We always recommend contacting our plumbing team for professional assistance—we have the knowledge and experience, not to mention the commercial tools, to help. 

On the other hand, if you only have one unburst frozen pipe, you can follow these tips to try to thaw it:

• Be sure to leave the faucet on, so its valve remains open. Locate where you can turn off your water in case you need to. Once the pipe thaws, water will begin to trickle and soon flow, helping to liquify any leftover ice.
  
• Try to figure out where the frozen pipe is located, so you can help it thaw. You can defrost it by using a portable space heater in the room, but never leave a heater unattended. 

• If the pipe is under your kitchen or bathroom sink, open the cabinets where the frozen pipe is located to help the heat start warming it up quicker. If there are any doors in the room, close them to prevent the heat from escaping.
  
• You can also use a blow dryer to help warm up the pipe. You can do so by carefully moving it along the frozen pipe. Be cautious when using a blow dryer, and don’t let it touch or get close to anywhere water could flow or seep through.
  
  If you notice water seeping or spurting from the pipe, immediately turn off and unplug the blow dryer. Additionally, turn off the water at the shutoff valve or main line to the house, but be sure to leave the faucet open. In this situation, you will require professional assistance from our Basnett Plumbing experts, so give us a call.
  
• Instead of using electrical heating equipment, you can alternatively use a towel or rag dipped in hot water to warm up the pipe. Be sure the water is not boiling though and, for safety reasons, don’t use this method if you have or plan on using any electrical heating. Wrap the warm cloth around the pipes under the sink, remove when it gets cool, and repeat the process.
  
• Never use any type of open flame, like a propane torch, to thaw frozen pipes. This could damage the pipes and, even worse, could cause a fire in your Massachusetts home.

• If you do discover a burst pipe, turn off the water at the shutoff valve or main line immediately because this could result in significant water damage. The buildup of water could also lead to an even worse scenario—mold.
  
  In 2014, a link between upper respiratory health issues and exposure to indoor mold was evidently determined by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Water damage can lead to mold, so be sure your home has adequate indoor air quality (IAQ) support and you remediate any damage as soon as possible.

You will need professional plumbing assistance in the case of burst pipes, so contact us immediately upon your discovery.

How Can I Prevent My Pipes From Freezing?

You can’t turn back the clock, but you can take the necessary steps to reduce the risk of your pipes from freezing in the future. Routine plumbing maintenance and taking preventative measures could help you get your home prepared for colder temperatures. For example, you could have your pipes insulated with foam, rubber, or fiberglass to reduce the risk of the cold weather causing them to freeze. 

Aside from preventative maintenance, you can also follow these tips to prevent frozen pipes:

• Open the cabinets and doors. Closed cabinets create a barrier to the warm air circulating in your home. Be sure to open your kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow the pipes to have more exposure to the heat. Opening your Westford home’s interior doors also helps heat get to each room and can provide more warmth to the piping in the walls.
  
• Turn faucets on. If you know it’s cold enough outside for water to freeze, leave your faucets open and let them trickle room-temperature water. This can help prevent your pipes from freezing up.
  
• Properly heat your home. Check your thermostat and ensure the setting or temperature never drops below 55 degrees Fahrenheit at any point during the day or night. The warmer, the better—for you and your pipes.

Basnett Plumbing Can Take Care of All Your Plumbing Needs

No matter what type of plumbing issue you’re facing, our Basnett Plumbing, Heating & AC experts in Westford, MA, can help. With the winter approaching, we want to ensure you and your home are prepared for the cold weather ahead. Call 978-486-3767 or request service online today.