The temperatures have recently gotten much colder outside, making us think about water pipes freezing in our homes. There are certain precautions to take to prevent this and it is also good to know how to thaw frozen pipes safely just in case this happens to you.
Pipes that run along an outside wall of a house may be at additional risk, as are water lines in outbuildings that do not have a heat source.
Adding extra insulation to prevent the pipes from freezing is always a good idea, but is not always feasible. Sometimes all it takes is opening the cabinet doors below the sinks, allowing heat to get near the pipes. A shielded light bulb placed near water pipes can also be effective, but make sure it does not come in contact with combustibles.
If, by chance, your pipes do freeze it is important to thaw them in the correct way. The first step is to turn the faucet on, which in turn will relieve the pressure in the line. Next, apply heat to the frozen section of the pipe. This can be done by using a space heater, heat lamp, heat tape, hairdryer or towels soaked in hot water wrapped around the pipe. Always be cautious when using electrical appliances in wet locations and remember to thaw the pipe slowly! Take extra precaution if your pipes are made out of plastic instead of copper. Plastic pipes will become brittle and rigid at low temperatures and also have a lower melting point than copper pipes.
