Frozen Pipe Prevention and Repair in Murfreesboro, Tennessee

The best way to stop a frozen pipe from becoming a bigger issue in your home is to know the signs. Here are a few things to look out for:

Limited Water

If the water is coming out slower and with less pressure than it normally does from your faucet, shower head, or toilets, you might have a frozen pipe. 

Frost or Bulging

If your pipes are visible and they have a layer of frost on them or appear to be bulging, these are other good indicators that you have a frozen pipe issue.   

Gurgling Sounds

Gurgling is a sign of a blockage of some kind. A frozen pipe can prevent air and water from freely flowing through the pipe resulting in trapped air or gas bubbles.

Strange Odors

If there are strange smells coming from your drains, it could mean that a frozen pipe or other blockage is backing up the transportation of sewage from your home.

Condensation 

Condensation is a sign that the air outside the pipe is warmer and more humid than the water inside the pipe. This isn’t that big of an issue in the short term but can cause damage to the pipe or anything below the pipe in the long term.

Cracks

Cracks in a pipe are an indicator that the pipe may have been frozen already. Even if it doesn’t appear to be leaking, you should still have an experienced plumber take a look at it.

If you are currently dealing with frozen pipes in your home, it is strongly recommended that you call a plumbing expert to make sure the pipe doesn’t burst. While you wait for a plumber to arrive, attempt to thaw the pipe out yourself. Here are a few tips to follow.

Keep the Faucet Running 

When you warm up the frozen part of the pipe you will create both water and steam. Water will need someplace to go or it will continue to build up pressure inside the pipe. Running water will also help speed up the thawing process.

Apply Heat to the Frozen Portion of the Pipe

You can either wrap an electronic heating pad around the area or use a hair dryer. Do not leave the heating pad unattended since it is a fire hazard. If you do not have a heating pad or a hair dryer, you can wrap the area in a towel soaked in hot water. Do not use an open flame device.

Look for Other Frozen Pipes 

Once you have successfully and safely thawed out the frozen pipe, make sure to check for other frozen pipes around the house. Turn on other faucets to see if they have any significant blockages. 

Immediately Address Frozen Pipes Inside Exterior Walls

If the pipe is behind an exterior wall, you should take immediate action, and call a professional plumber or contractor. Repairs may involve cutting a hole in the wall to expose the pipe to warmer air.

If your pipes have a history of freezing when the temperatures outside dip, here are a few tips to follow to prevent history from repeating itself:

• Drain your exterior water lines to prevent pressure from building up 
• Keep your faucets open and trickling when the temps dive below freezing
• Insulate the pipes most susceptible to freezing; pipes that run through exterior walls or in basement and crawl spaces
• Use a space heater to keep pipes in uninsulated rooms warm

Having a pipe freeze during an extreme cold snap is a problem that can escalate quickly. Losing access to your water source for any amount of time is incredibly stressful. Major property damage from a burst pipe and potential flooding are nerve-wracking as well. Armor Air’s experienced plumbers have been helping put the minds of Volunteer homeowners at ease, and are ready to solve any of your plumbing or frozen pipe issues with quality craftsmanship and unmatched customer service. Call us today to schedule an appointment.