While Georgia is considered to have a mild climate, the area experiences occasional extreme winter weather, including freezing temperatures that can cause pipes to freeze overnight. If you’re dealing with frozen pipes, knowing what to do is important to prevent an even bigger emergency. The experts at Ricky Heath Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling have some helpful tips on how to tell if your pipes are frozen, what to do if they freeze overnight, how to protect pipes from freezing, and more.
How To Tell if Your Pipes Are Frozen
If it’s extremely cold outside, will pipes freeze overnight? The answer is yes, especially if temperatures drop to below freezing, or 32°F. Pipes can freeze in as little as six hours, especially exposed pipes, like those in your home’s crawl space or attic. Here’s what to look for to help you determine whether your pipes are frozen:
- Little to no water: If no water or just a tiny trickle comes out of your pipes, there’s a good chance ice is blocking the flow of water.
- Visible ice: Look for any signs of frost or ice on the outside of your pipes, especially any pipes located near exterior walls, in an unheated garage, or in your attic or basement.
- Strange noises: Unusual gurgling, whistling, or banging from your pipes may occur when the ice starts to thaw or when water is forced through the blocked area.
- Issues with your toilet: If you can’t flush your toilet during cold weather, the water supply line to the tank may be frozen.
- Damp spots or water: Damp spots in your home or noticeable water stains on your walls or ceilings are common signs that a pipe may have burst or is leaking after freezing.
Immediate Steps To Take When You Discover Frozen Pipes
Once you discover frozen pipes, there are some important steps to take immediately. Here’s what to do as soon as you discover that you have frozen pipes:
- Step one: Locate and turn off the main water supply to your home at the valve to prevent more water from entering the frozen pipe.
- Step two: Partially open all faucets connected to any frozen pipes to relieve pressure and let the water flow slowly as the ice begins to melt.
- Step three: Gradually apply gentle heat to the pipes using a hair dryer, towels soaked in hot water, or a portable space heater (never use an open flame) to warm them up and help them thaw.
- Step four: If you suspect a burst pipe or water leak, contact our professional team of frozen pipe plumbers in Macon for leak detection and repair as soon as possible.
What To Do If a Frozen Pipe Bursts
If a frozen pipe bursts, it can cause significant water damage. Follow these tips on what to do if you end up with a frozen pipe that bursts in your home:
- Immediately shut off your home’s main water supply, open the faucets in your home to relieve pressure, and turn off the electricity at the breaker box to prevent fire or electrical shock.
- Move furniture, electronics, area rugs, and other belongings from the water-damaged area of your home to a separate dry area.
- Use towels, a mop, or a wet/dry vac to remove excess standing water.
- Take photos and videos of the damaged areas of your home so you have documentation to provide to your homeowner’s insurance company when you file a claim.
- After you document the damage, call your insurance company to file a claim and start the restoration process.
- As soon as a pipe bursts, contact a professional plumber like the team at Ricky Heath to help locate the source of the leak, make repairs, or replace old or damaged pipes as needed.
How To Prevent Pipes From Freezing Without Heat
You may wonder how to prevent frozen pipes in Georgia winters. Here are some tips to help you prevent pipes from freezing without heat:
- Insulate your pipes: Carefully wrap exposed pipes in areas like crawl spaces, basements, and attics with foam pipe sleeves or other insulating covers.
- Open the cabinets: Keep the cabinets under sinks open to let warmer air reach the pipes.
- Close the garage door: Make sure your garage door stays closed if you have water supply lines in this area to protect them from freezing temperatures.
- Drip your faucets: Let the faucet furthest away from your home’s water main gently drip to keep water moving through the pipes.
- Disconnect hoses: Prevent exterior pipes and fixtures from freezing by disconnecting all hoses and shutting off the water to outdoor spigots, then opening them to drain any remaining water.
- Seal gaps: Seal any cracks or gaps in walls, behind cabinets, around doors and windows, and near your foundation to insulate your home and plumbing from the cold.
When To Call a Plumber in Macon, GA for Frozen Pipes
There are several instances when you should call a plumber in Macon for frozen pipes. If your drains are clogged and you suspect ice is the cause, call a plumber right away. Also, call a plumber if you can’t locate exactly where the pipe is frozen, if a pipe has burst, or if the pipes are in an area you can’t access.
If you notice any bulges or cracks in your pipes, shut off your home’s water main and contact Ricky Heath immediately. We also recommend calling a plumber if you don’t feel comfortable thawing the pipes yourself and need assistance.
Contact Ricky Heath for Plumbing Help Today
Don’t let a frozen pipe ruin your winter. The professional, licensed plumbers at Ricky Heath Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling are available to help Georgia homeowners deal with frozen pipes, and we do it all with care, speed, and quality. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule a service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for pipes to freeze?
It may take as little as six hours for most pipes to freeze if they’re exposed to freezing or below freezing temperatures. However, properly insulated pipes in a fairly warm area could take several days to freeze without inspection or intervention.
Can turning up the thermostat help thaw frozen pipes?
Turning up your thermostat may help thaw frozen pipes, especially when combined with other methods like opening cabinet doors to let warm air circulate around the pipes. You may also apply gentle heat using a hair dryer or a portable space heater to help thaw frozen pipes.
What’s the best way to prevent frozen pipes in vacant homes?
If you’re going on vacation during the winter or selling your vacant home, shut off the main water supply and drain the pipes before leaving to help prevent frozen pipes. You can also insulate exposed pipes to protect them from freezing in vacant homes.
