Frozen Pipe Repair: Know How To Fix Your Own Pipes When Possible

If you live in a cold area that often gets snow in the winter, you might have to deal with pipes freezing annually. It is helpful to get an idea of how to resolve this issue. Frozen pipe repair often needs to be performed by a professional company, but there are some things you can do to prevent it from occurring in the first place.

The easiest way to get around this issue is prevention, and fortunately, there are ways to stop it from happening to begin with. If you are having a house or structure built, the first step is to ensure that your contractor does not plan for any pipes to run along the exterior walls, as keeping them from freezing will be easier when you can control the temperature. Even insulation in the area does not always work well, so try to avoid this positioning if possible.

On the other hand, many people do not have the luxury of watching their home get built. If yours is already constructed, your best option may be to add insulation around the pipes. This may not be ideal, but it is the best you can do if your home is older, as it will provide at least a little protection from the cold.

Not all materials that freeze burst immediately afterward, so if your house has succumbed to the cold, it is not necessarily too late to fix it. The first step is to close the supply valve and then open the pipe's faucet. You should then check for any cracks or holes along your pipes.

If you do see holes, you should use heat to get the water moving again. Using a hair dryer in a scenario can help. As long as you shut off the supply line valve, you should not be dealing with a lot of water. The next step is to cut off the section that has a hole or crack in it, using a pipe cutter or any other tool that will cut through the material neatly. You can then simply perform the frozen pipe repair by replacing the piece and making sure it is sealed shut with a propane torch.

Not everyone can do this type of frozen pipe repair on their own. If you feel the need to call a professional to get it done, you can temporarily use the pipes until then by putting duct tape around the crack. Just be sure to get the issue repaired soon after.