Once the temperature is sitting below freezing, 32 degrees or less, pipes can freeze in a matter of hours. High risk areas include pipes located in exterior walls or ones that run through unheated or uninsulated areas.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE A FROZEN PIPE? A few good indicators would be as follows:
You turn on a faucet and there’s little to no water coming out
There’s visible frost on exposed pipes
Strange gurgling coming from your fixtures
Noticeably bulging pipe (since water molecules expand, causing pressure)
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I SUSPECT A FROZEN PIPE? Shut off your water and give us a call! We may be able to give a few tips over the phone to help SAFELY thaw the area (if you know where the problem is), however every situation is unique and frozen pipes are typically best handled by a licensed plumber. For easy reference, our office number is 608-868-5825.
CAUTION: NEVER use open flame devices (propane, blow torch) to thaw pipes and NEVER leave heat sources unattended.
