Preventing Frozen Pipes & Frozen Pipe Replacement

Burst pipes can occur when the water inside a pipe cools below freezing, causing ice to form. As water turns to ice, it expands, resulting in pressure buildup that can exceed 3,000 psi. That kind of pressure can split water supply lines and will eventually lead to water damage when the ice thaws.

Because they’re flexible, pipes made of cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) are far less likely to burst than PVC or metal pipes. But yes, it’s still possible for them to burst.

Because underground temperatures stay relatively steady, it’s rare for underground pipes to freeze. But if it happens, who’s responsible for handling it? That depends on where the pipe is located. If the frozen section is within your property boundaries, you will need to call a plumber for assistance. If the affected pipes are beyond your property line, contact your municipal water source to handle it.

1. Turn off your home’s whole home main water shut off valve.
2. Call your local emergency plumber.
3. Contact your homeowner’s insurance provider to file a claim.
4. Open water taps and flush toilets to remove the remaining water from pipes.
5. Warm up the house by turning up the heat.
6. If you can, start cleaning up the water.

There are several methods you can try to thaw a frozen pipe in walls:

• Make sure the water heater is on, and run the hot water taps to verify the hot water supply lines are not frozen.
• Turn up the heat in the home.
• Use space heaters to speed up the heating process.
• Point an infrared or heat lamp toward the wall containing the frozen pipe.
• In extreme cases, the drywall may need to be removed to access the frozen pipe.

If you could use a hand with more winter home care tasks, trust Neighbourly® to connect you to the top home services in your area, like these:

• The Grounds Guys® provides residential ice management and snow removal services to complement their other landscaping and lawn care services.
• Rainbow International® provides water damage cleanup and restoration services for homeowners dealing with the aftermath of a burst pipe.
• Mr. Handyman® provides window and door weatherproofing in addition to many other handyman services.