Are your pipes frozen? This is what you need to do right now

If no tap water comes out right now, your pipes are likely to freeze. But that doesn’t necessarily mean your pipes are cracked, cracked, or broken. There are some steps you can take right now to prevent damage over the next few days.

Tim Jordan, manager of Abacus ’plumbing service Plumbing and air conditioning and electricity, says the Abacus team is busy answering calls from interested customers. That’s what he says you should do right now.

If you have not already done so, turn off your home water immediately.

Do not attempt to defrost the pipes without turning off the main shut-off valve. That way, if you have a pipe explosion, the damage would be limited as there will be no water to fuel the leak.

If you can, fill the tub with water before closing it.

(It may not make water flow to do so.) Even if the water in your home is turned off, you can still flush the toilet if you have water to add to the tank at the top.

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Turn on the bathtub faucet or main line in the house.

This way, when the pipes start to thaw, there is an opening for the water to drain without increasing the pressure in the pipes. Pressure in the pipes can cause breakage.

“If your pipes are underground, they are less likely to break. It could be a pipe that is frozen in the attic, for example, pipes that go to the water heater, ”said Jordan.

Should you try to defrost the pipes on your own?

There are conflicting reports if trying to defrost the pipes is a good idea. You may have heard of people using dryers or heating pads to defrost frozen pipes. Jordan says that to prevent damage to the pipes, he does NOT recommend that people try to defrost their own pipes.

Your pipes are more likely to come out of this break or crack if you let them thaw on their own when the weather warms up.

The thawing process can be when the biggest problems appear

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“When it starts to get hotter, that’s when we start to see more problems because the pipes are thawing,” Jordan said. “When the pipe thaws, the pressure caused by the water starts to run through the pipe and can cause it to break.”

The pressure of unfrozen water between the ice and the closed tap is the main cause of breaks in the frozen pipes. (That’s why it’s a good idea to turn off the main water).

How do I know if I need to call a plumber for help?

Of course, if you have any visible signs of damage to the pipes, call a plumber. You should also call if you see stagnant water outside or even from the ceiling or walls. You may have to wait. Jordan (with Abacus Plumbing) says he’s very busy right now and all the plumbers will be. Advise people to come out on a list now so that a plumber can come out to help as soon as possible.