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When pipes freeze
it is usually because of improper insulation or bad placement of the pipe in the first place.
One thing you have to remember is you have time while the pipe is still frozen to thaw it out.
The problem usually happens on the thawing process when the water expands and breaks the pipes.
If you have cpvc or pvc or poly pipes exposed you might as well just be prepared to replace the pipe if it gets frozen solid.
You can pretty much rest assured that it's going to break on the thawing out process.
Preventing this kind of stuff is a whole lot easier than paying us to come out and fix it in the freezing cold.
If you have pipes that are in an area that is real drafty you might consider heat tape.
Close your vents in your crawlspace to keep that cold air out.
Also remember that the hot will freeze before the cold.
You can use Mapp Gas or Propane to thaw out copper or galvanized pipes if you are really careful.
Slowly heat hose bibbs to open them and then keep heating slowly to get it flowing.
If you are really brave you can use a welder on all metal pipes Learn More
Winter Piping Maintenance List
- Close Foundation Vents
- Wrap Exposed Hose Bibbs
- Use Heat Tape Where Necessary
- Use The Good Fiberglass Insulation In Extreme Cold Weather Environments.
- Keep The Spigot Dripping Until You Can Wrap It.
- Hot Line Will freeze Before The Cold Line
- Use A Torch On Copper, But Be Careful Open Valves And Keep That Torch Moving. Do It Slowly
- If You Have Frozen Cpvc or PVC or Poly Or Pex Replace It
- Use a ceramic disc space heater to keep drafty areas warm when it's super cold.
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Thawing
