Comments on: How to Avoid and Thaw Frozen Pipes Safely http://411plumb.com/how-to-avoid-and-thaw-frozen-pipes-safely Just another WordPress weblog Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:30:28 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Redwood http://411plumb.com/how-to-avoid-and-thaw-frozen-pipes-safely/comment-page-1#comment-980 Redwood Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:50:43 +0000 http://411plumb.com/?p=488#comment-980 Hi Alexandria, Is this a situation where the heat has been turned off? Were the water heaters turned off? In your situation turning off the main valve the cranking up the heat is probably the best start. Then cracking the main valve slightly open to check for leaks and additional freezing. Given the time the pipes were frozen without anyone being there it is almost certain you will have some burst pipes and need the services of a plumber. Thanks for commenting, Redwood Hi Alexandria,

Is this a situation where the heat has been turned off?
Were the water heaters turned off?

In your situation turning off the main valve the cranking up the heat is probably the best start.
Then cracking the main valve slightly open to check for leaks and additional freezing.
Given the time the pipes were frozen without anyone being there it is almost certain you will have some burst pipes and need the services of a plumber.

Thanks for commenting,
Redwood

]]> By: Alexandria http://411plumb.com/how-to-avoid-and-thaw-frozen-pipes-safely/comment-page-1#comment-978 Alexandria Sun, 07 Feb 2010 12:41:06 +0000 http://411plumb.com/?p=488#comment-978 Hi I seem to have frozen water pipes. I heat with oil, and have forced hot air. Nobody is living there at this time, but I need to correct the problem ASAP. I was told to open the faucets, shut off the main valve of water, and open the cabinets to let the heat get directly to the pipes under the sinks (which I did). My big concern is that does it put my hot water heaters in jeopardy? They are downstairs and little heat gets there. I have conflicting reports. Someone told me as long as the water main is off, it will be ok. Other people say that unless it's drained, it could freeze the water in the water tanks. Who is correct and how do I fix this problem? I am on a fixed budget, and really don't want to pay a plumber if it can possibly be helped. Please help!!! :) Thank you Hi

I seem to have frozen water pipes. I heat with oil, and have forced hot air. Nobody is living there at this time, but I need to correct the problem ASAP. I was told to open the faucets, shut off the main valve of water, and open the cabinets to let the heat get directly to the pipes under the sinks (which I did). My big concern is that does it put my hot water heaters in jeopardy? They are downstairs and little heat gets there. I have conflicting reports. Someone told me as long as the water main is off, it will be ok. Other people say that unless it’s drained, it could freeze the water in the water tanks. Who is correct and how do I fix this problem? I am on a fixed budget, and really don’t want to pay a plumber if it can possibly be helped. Please help!!! :) Thank you

]]> By: Redwood http://411plumb.com/how-to-avoid-and-thaw-frozen-pipes-safely/comment-page-1#comment-820 Redwood Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:12:14 +0000 http://411plumb.com/?p=488#comment-820 Hi Gil, It sounds like you may be frozen up. To figure where your line is frozen depends largely on how it is configured and available points to open sillcocks and drain valves to see where water is available and not available. In some cases a connection may have to be broken to check for water flow then put back together again. Once you narrow down where the water flow from the well stops you are close to finding where the line needs to be thawed. If your freeze up is in a place where the pressure switch is calling on the pump to run but the water cannot reach the pressure switch and storage tank then the pump is dead-heading and in danger of being damaged if it hasn't been damaged already. Are you able to tell if the pump is running or, not? Can you tell if water is available at the pressure switch and pressure tank? If you have a submersible pump do you have the electrical skills and test equipment to take measurements and determine if the pump is running and running properly? If not I would consider calling in a pro as soon as possible. Hi Gil,
It sounds like you may be frozen up. To figure where your line is frozen depends largely on how it is configured and available points to open sillcocks and drain valves to see where water is available and not available. In some cases a connection may have to be broken to check for water flow then put back together again. Once you narrow down where the water flow from the well stops you are close to finding where the line needs to be thawed.

If your freeze up is in a place where the pressure switch is calling on the pump to run but the water cannot reach the pressure switch and storage tank then the pump is dead-heading and in danger of being damaged if it hasn’t been damaged already. Are you able to tell if the pump is running or, not? Can you tell if water is available at the pressure switch and pressure tank? If you have a submersible pump do you have the electrical skills and test equipment to take measurements and determine if the pump is running and running properly? If not I would consider calling in a pro as soon as possible.

]]> By: gil j http://411plumb.com/how-to-avoid-and-thaw-frozen-pipes-safely/comment-page-1#comment-819 gil j Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:09:04 +0000 http://411plumb.com/?p=488#comment-819 I too have frozen pipes. I do however believe it is froze somewhere in the supply line coming in. We are in a mobile home and on a well. Under home is well insulated and heat tape is working. Is my pump in danger of burning out while waiting for the ground to thaw? If so what precautions should I take? Also how might I tell if my well pump is working? Thanks Gil.. I too have frozen pipes. I do however believe it is froze somewhere in the supply line coming in. We are in a mobile home and on a well. Under home is well insulated and heat tape is working. Is my pump in danger of burning out while waiting for the ground to thaw? If so what precautions should I take? Also how might I tell if my well pump is working? Thanks Gil..

]]> By: Redwood http://411plumb.com/how-to-avoid-and-thaw-frozen-pipes-safely/comment-page-1#comment-810 Redwood Sat, 09 Jan 2010 21:28:14 +0000 http://411plumb.com/?p=488#comment-810 Hi Anji, I would recommend placing Styrofoam in the vent openings and getting some heater(s) going under there to warm up the crawlspace. I fear though that the condensation in the bathroom may be coming from a burst pipe which is probably leaking water down into the crawl space. You probably do need a plumber if that is the case. With copper pipes a plumber could use an electric pipe thawing machine and rapidly thaw everything and in addition could fix any leaks. Hi Anji,
I would recommend placing Styrofoam in the vent openings and getting some heater(s) going under there to warm up the crawlspace.
I fear though that the condensation in the bathroom may be coming from a burst pipe which is probably leaking water down into the crawl space. You probably do need a plumber if that is the case.

With copper pipes a plumber could use an electric pipe thawing machine and rapidly thaw everything and in addition could fix any leaks.

]]> By: Anji http://411plumb.com/how-to-avoid-and-thaw-frozen-pipes-safely/comment-page-1#comment-808 Anji Sat, 09 Jan 2010 20:43:46 +0000 http://411plumb.com/?p=488#comment-808 We live in NW Arkansas & our copper pipes beneath our old house have frozen. There are several crawlspace openings beneath our house that are not sealed off. The copper pipes are not insulated and our home is heated by gas floor heat all. There is a wall gas heater in the bathroom that has been on high for about 24hours now, and the bathroom is steaming hot and there is condensation on the bathtub faucet and it appears as if there has been some water coming out from somewhere. I have all the faucets open so water that might thaw can exit the pipes. Can i put a space heater under such a large open space & expect the pipes to thaw? How can i real off the crawl Space openings to keep the heat under there? Would plasTic bags over the openings work or do i need to get styrofoam? My husband is @ drill this weekend & by the time he will get home it will be very late. It is only 25degrees now and it hasN't been above freezing for over a week now. It will get down to 5 degRees tonight & this is going on 2 days without water or working toilet. We need 2 do this ourselves to avoid high costs we can't afford. FlooR heaters will not heat pipes because the house already has poor insulation problems that i was planning on fixing before this. Plz help We live in NW Arkansas & our copper pipes beneath our old house have frozen. There are several crawlspace openings beneath our house that are not sealed off. The copper pipes are not insulated and our home is heated by gas floor heat all. There is a wall gas heater in the bathroom that has been on high for about 24hours now, and the bathroom is steaming hot and there is condensation on the bathtub faucet and it appears as if there has been some water coming out from somewhere. I have all the faucets open so water that might thaw can exit the pipes. Can i put a space heater under such a large open space & expect the pipes to thaw? How can i real off the crawl Space openings to keep the heat under there? Would plasTic bags over the openings work or do i need to get styrofoam? My husband is @ drill this weekend & by the time he will get home it will be very late. It is only 25degrees now and it hasN’t been above freezing for over a week now. It will get down to 5 degRees tonight & this is going on 2 days without water or working toilet. We need 2 do this ourselves to avoid high costs we can’t afford. FlooR heaters will not heat pipes because the house already has poor insulation problems that i was planning on fixing before this. Plz help

]]> By: Redwood http://411plumb.com/how-to-avoid-and-thaw-frozen-pipes-safely/comment-page-1#comment-610 Redwood Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:24:27 +0000 http://411plumb.com/?p=488#comment-610 Hi Mike, It sounds like a classic case of the cold supply freezing up. The only water you have now is the hot which when you run the faucet back feeds to the toilet and tub. You want to be very careful and not allow that to happen as the hot water running into a cold toilet can cause it to crack. This is a problem that many people have with a bathroom over an unheated garage. Its just a bad design! Get as much heat as possible going into the garage. Space heaters, open doors to the house with fans, whatever it takes to warm that garage up. You may also find where the pipes leave the basement to run up the garage wall to the ceiling and direct the hot air from a hair dryer up that wall if you can. The faster you get this thawed or, prevent more freezing the less likely pipes are to burst. If you have metal pipes you may want to consider calling a plumber with an electric pipe thawing machine to get the pipes thawed quicker. After the pipes thaw is when you may find the burst pipes, right now the ice isn't running out of the hole. In the future you might want to make sure the garage door only opens long enough to get in and out, and you may want to consider putting some form of heat in the garage to run on the coldest days when freezing may occur. I hope this helps, Redwood Hi Mike,

It sounds like a classic case of the cold supply freezing up.
The only water you have now is the hot which when you run the faucet back feeds to the toilet and tub.
You want to be very careful and not allow that to happen as the hot water running into a cold toilet can cause it to crack.
This is a problem that many people have with a bathroom over an unheated garage. Its just a bad design!

Get as much heat as possible going into the garage. Space heaters, open doors to the house with fans, whatever it takes to warm that garage up. You may also find where the pipes leave the basement to run up the garage wall to the ceiling and direct the hot air from a hair dryer up that wall if you can. The faster you get this thawed or, prevent more freezing the less likely pipes are to burst.

If you have metal pipes you may want to consider calling a plumber with an electric pipe thawing machine to get the pipes thawed quicker. After the pipes thaw is when you may find the burst pipes, right now the ice isn’t running out of the hole.

In the future you might want to make sure the garage door only opens long enough to get in and out, and you may want to consider putting some form of heat in the garage to run on the coldest days when freezing may occur.

I hope this helps,
Redwood

]]> By: Mike http://411plumb.com/how-to-avoid-and-thaw-frozen-pipes-safely/comment-page-1#comment-608 Mike Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:10:04 +0000 http://411plumb.com/?p=488#comment-608 I left my garage door open for a while as I was snowblowing (bout an hour, wife out of town, keeping an eye on the kids playing in the garage of all things). Couple hours later I go to my daughters bathroom directly above the garage and I attempted to turn on the water to the sink, toilet and tub there without success. I put the space heater on under the sink and next to the tub/toilet with a little success. Put the space heater on in the garage where I think the pipes are and now the sink is working fine although hot water only. The toilet and tub will work only when the sink is running, and with only hot water also. The toilet refiller is weak, and the tub will instantly lose all water pressure when I flush the toilet or the sink faucet off. Right now I am continuing to run the space heater in the garage and have the sink/tub set to give out trickling water. I have no idea if the cold water pipe burst, although I have found no signs of a leak after inspecting the bathroom/garage drywall or looking in the basement anywhere although the garage is on the concrete foundation and not over the basement living quarters. Any other advice, tips, etc would be greatly greatly appreciated!!!! I think I alluded to this but the pipes are not exposed/visible to the naked eye and are concealed by drywall. Thanks in advance! Mike I left my garage door open for a while as I was snowblowing (bout an hour, wife out of town, keeping an eye on the kids playing in the garage of all things). Couple hours later I go to my daughters bathroom directly above the garage and I attempted to turn on the water to the sink, toilet and tub there without success. I put the space heater on under the sink and next to the tub/toilet with a little success. Put the space heater on in the garage where I think the pipes are and now the sink is working fine although hot water only. The toilet and tub will work only when the sink is running, and with only hot water also. The toilet refiller is weak, and the tub will instantly lose all water pressure when I flush the toilet or the sink faucet off. Right now I am continuing to run the space heater in the garage and have the sink/tub set to give out trickling water. I have no idea if the cold water pipe burst, although I have found no signs of a leak after inspecting the bathroom/garage drywall or looking in the basement anywhere although the garage is on the concrete foundation and not over the basement living quarters. Any other advice, tips, etc would be greatly greatly appreciated!!!!

I think I alluded to this but the pipes are not exposed/visible to the naked eye and are concealed by drywall.

Thanks in advance!
Mike

]]> By: Redwood http://411plumb.com/how-to-avoid-and-thaw-frozen-pipes-safely/comment-page-1#comment-607 Redwood Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:13:26 +0000 http://411plumb.com/?p=488#comment-607 Hi Dean, It does indeed sound like you may have frozen pipes or a water supply related problem. I have no idea of the construction of your home or its systems. If you are on a well system the there may be a problem with the well pump check to make sure the pump is on and the circuit breaker has not tripped and pressure is indicated on the gauge. Tap the gauge lightly to make sure it is indicating correctly. As far as frozen pipes with the arrival of the frozen weather it is certainly possible. I don't know if you have a basement, crawl space, or a slab foundation but wherever you can get access in a basement or slab pipes could be found for tracing and finding a cold spot where they may be exposed to a draft causing freezing. Try a hair dryer to warm the frozen area or directing a heater into the crawl space. Seeing as everything is off I would advise looking at main water supply lines. In the event of a slab foundation look for possible freeze areas in the meter box if installed out side, or where the main water supply comes up into a wall of the home. This could be a lot tougher to figure out and you may want a plumber with a electric pipe thawing machine if you have metal pipes. You may want the plumber with the pipe thawing machine in either case if you have metal pipes and ask him for advice on insulation or possible use of heat tape. If your pipes are plastic the only thing you can do is warm the area where the pipes are frozen. Thanks for posting, I hope this works out for you without any burst pipes, Redwood Hi Dean,
It does indeed sound like you may have frozen pipes or a water supply related problem.
I have no idea of the construction of your home or its systems.

If you are on a well system the there may be a problem with the well pump check to make sure the pump is on and the circuit breaker has not tripped and pressure is indicated on the gauge. Tap the gauge lightly to make sure it is indicating correctly.

As far as frozen pipes with the arrival of the frozen weather it is certainly possible. I don’t know if you have a basement, crawl space, or a slab foundation but wherever you can get access in a basement or slab pipes could be found for tracing and finding a cold spot where they may be exposed to a draft causing freezing. Try a hair dryer to warm the frozen area or directing a heater into the crawl space. Seeing as everything is off I would advise looking at main water supply lines.

In the event of a slab foundation look for possible freeze areas in the meter box if installed out side, or where the main water supply comes up into a wall of the home. This could be a lot tougher to figure out and you may want a plumber with a electric pipe thawing machine if you have metal pipes.

You may want the plumber with the pipe thawing machine in either case if you have metal pipes and ask him for advice on insulation or possible use of heat tape.

If your pipes are plastic the only thing you can do is warm the area where the pipes are frozen.

Thanks for posting,
I hope this works out for you without any burst pipes,
Redwood

]]> By: Dean W. http://411plumb.com/how-to-avoid-and-thaw-frozen-pipes-safely/comment-page-1#comment-601 Dean W. Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:52:27 +0000 http://411plumb.com/?p=488#comment-601 I think out pipes froze last night, when i flush the toilets or try to run water nothing is happening. I have no ideal where it would be froze if they are, we just bought this house last week and i am not familiar with the layout. How would I go about thawning the pipes if they are indeed frozen? I think out pipes froze last night, when i flush the toilets or try to run water nothing is happening. I have no ideal where it would be froze if they are, we just bought this house last week and i am not familiar with the layout. How would I go about thawning the pipes if they are indeed frozen?

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