When winter sets in, one of the common household problems that people experience is frozen pipes. This can be a very bad thing because water cannot flow properly through the pipes. In worse cases, water cannot even flow through them at all. Since the supply of water is cut, it is necessary to solve this kind of problem to make things work normally inside the house. Be able to solve it easily by knowing how to fix frozen pipes.
Materials Needed
The level of difficulty of this particular task is moderate. However, things are easier if these materials are available. Bring in rubber pipe pads, pipe clamps as well as garden hose, preferably one that is made from neoprene. In addition to these, you also need other items such as solvent cement, PVC solvent primer and a rigid pipe, preferably an ABS, CPVC or PCP. For cutting purposes, be sure to have a pipe cutter or hacksaw.
Steps
If you experience reduced water pressure in your pipes, act right away in order not to complicate the problem further. Before they freeze completely, thaw them immediately. Turn on the water outlet or faucet and then let the water run through the partially frozen pipe.
In case the pipes are already frozen, take some aggressive moves to thaw them completely. Before this, check first if there are ruptures or leaks. You need to repair these damages before you can proceed to the thawing process.
Shut down the main source of water by closing the valve leading to these frozen pipes. Leave at least one or two faucets on. Doing this can actually help the steam expand and force the water to melt the ice. Use a steamer or hairdryer to thaw the pipes. Start by working on the frozen parts of the pipe all the way to the incoming supply of water. Do not rush this process because the steam or boiling water can actually cause significant damage to the water system.
Additional Tips and Other Helpful Information
After solving the frozen pipes, try to repair any damage that the de-freezing process may have caused. In case you find one, use a rubber clamp, an old inner tube or a garden hose to hold it in place. Contact your local plumber to have the damaged pipes fixed right away. Do this if the damaged part covers a long stretch of rupture or damage. This person is equipped with all the right tools to get the job done.
