With the cold Indianapolis weather closing in, the problems of summer are heading out the door, only to be replaced by the problems of winter. Frozen pipes can turn into a huge issue during the heating season, which is why it’s important to know how to deal with them.
The real problem with frozen pipes
Some homeowners only consider the possibility of freezing as it relates to a loss of water. But not being able to get water can turn into the least of your worries. If a pipe freezes long enough, it may burst, costing a king’s ransom to fix.
Dealing with frozen pipes
If you discover that a pipe has become frozen, try not to panic. First, you’ll want to turn on the faucet connected to this particular pipe. This will relieve the pressure once the thawing begins. To thaw the pipe, you will have these choices available to you:
- Hot water – Simple enough, right? Using hot water to thaw your pipes is typically the easiest, safest technique. First, wrap a towel around the pipe. This will hold in the heat. Then, set a bucket or similar container beneath the pipe, and pour hot water onto the towel. That’s all there is to it.
- Propane torch w/flame-spreader nozzle – While this technique isn’t nearly as messy, it can be dangerous and should only be used if you have experience working with propane torches. Basically, you use the torch against the pipe and move it back and forth in order to thaw the water inside. The primary fear with this is the possibility of the flame coming into contact with the wall behind the pipe. If you’re not careful, you can burn yourself, too.
- Heat lam /hair dryer – If you’re looking for a way to thaw a frozen pipe that’s less messy than hot water, but won’t risk fire or burns, a heat lamp or hair dryer will do the trick. The only downside is that this will take longer to get results.
Of course, the best solution is to not let your pipes freeze in the first place. For expert advice on preventing frozen pipes and fixing them, or for any questions regarding home comfort, please call us at Mowery Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We’ve been serving Indianapolis and the surrounding area for more than 40 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Brownsburg, Indiana and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
Image courtesy of Shutterstock
