Frozen Pipes Solution

Unlike summer homes and cottages, modern housing is not usually designed for easy winterization. Under normal circumstances, most of us never have to worry about a frozen water pipe. Our plumbing pipes are on interior walls and are insulated well enough that water does not freeze. But frozen pipes may become a concern if the heat is off or if water pipes run through unheated crawl spaces, floors over garages or in outside walls. If pipes do freeze:

• Shut off the water supply and open faucets to the frozen pipes.
• Warm them with a heat lamp, blow dryer or portable heater.
• Do not use boiling water, propane torches or any open flame to thaw frozen pipes.
• Apply only moderate heat and expect to wait for several hours.
• Open sink cabinets to let in warm air.

The long-term solution for frozen pipes is to provide adequate insulation and heat. Methods may include wrapping pipes with insulation material and installing weather stripping, insulation and heat to the room. A temporary or last resort solution is the use of electric heating tape, which can be wrapped around the pipes and energized when sub-zero weather is predicted. You can also leave faucets connected to exposed pipes trickling when low temperatures are forecasted. If the pipes are under an enclosed sink, open the door and use a fan to blow warm air from the room toward the pipes.