We see this every winter. When it gets cold, Tru-Serve’s calls about frozen pipes go up. Buildings are not immune from Minnesota’s frigid temperatures. Frozen pipes can break, causing major damage and expense.
If water from a faucet isn’t working, first check all faucets to isolate where the frozen pipe may be. If none of the faucets work, the problem may be with your meter rather than a frozen pipe. The frozen section of a pipe may be frosted or have ice on it; a bulging pipe is close to breaking and should be taken care of immediately.
Tips for Treating Frozen Pipes
Some basic tips for treating these kinds of issues include 1) turning off the main water value to help relieve pressure when the pipe thaws, 2) opening faucets so steam can escape during thawing, 3) using a hairdryer on the frozen area of pipe until full water pressure is restored, and 4) be patient!
Tips for Preventing Frozen Pipes
I recommend taking steps to prevent those pipes from freezing. Before the cold weather hits be sure to 1) insulate outer walls and pipes, 2) eliminate drafts by closing windows and storm windows, and repairing broken or cracked windows, 3) open cabinet doors (under the sink) to allow warmth from room to reach pipes, 4) check that your finance/boiler are working properly, and 5) check that outside water is turned off
If these pipes can’t be accessed, it’s time to bring in a professional. And, if you continue to have these similar problems, you may need to take additional measures to insure that pipes are kept warm.
