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When Frozen Pipes Start to Thaw #8173862 02/17/21 10:50 PM
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Gringo Bling Offline OP
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Tomorrow will be above freezing for at least part of the day. I haven't run water in the heated room above my garage in weeks, but concerned that the pipes could potentially be frozen since the lines run along the exterior of the garage. I am hoping that since no run water out there for weeks, it won't be an issue. But, if one does have frozen pipes, should you cut the water off at the main valve and let them thaw without doing anything else or should you slowly run water once the temps are above freezing?

I can't really find a definitive answer to this and it is pretty unbelievable how many people we know that have sustained busted pipes with this storm.

Re: When Frozen Pipes Start to Thaw [Re: Gringo Bling] #8173886 02/17/21 11:04 PM
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Not a plumber but have seen frozen water copper. When a copper line freezes, it swells and often splits. When it thaws water will spew damaged area if it splits.

If I thought I had frozen lines. I would secure water when I was not there to observe for water damage. I would also open faucets. When I had water flow, I knew line is not frozen and could check for leaks. Another advantage to having fauctes open, if the line is damaged, most of the water would flow out the faucets. There would still be leak at damage area but would probably lessen amout of water damage.


By the way, I have seen freeze damage go without leaking until heat of summer.


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Re: When Frozen Pipes Start to Thaw [Re: Gringo Bling] #8173895 02/17/21 11:07 PM
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Just go run the water and see if their frozen, If not your good to go. If their frozen I’d be shutting the water off ASAP.

Re: When Frozen Pipes Start to Thaw [Re: Gringo Bling] #8173982 02/17/21 11:38 PM
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I shut off all my water except inside. My house.


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Re: When Frozen Pipes Start to Thaw [Re: Gringo Bling] #8174062 02/18/21 12:11 AM
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Originally Posted by Gringo Bling
Tomorrow will be above freezing for at least part of the day. I haven't run water in the heated room above my garage in weeks, but concerned that the pipes could potentially be frozen since the lines run along the exterior of the garage. I am hoping that since no run water out there for weeks, it won't be an issue. But, if one does have frozen pipes, should you cut the water off at the main valve and let them thaw without doing anything else or should you slowly run water once the temps are above freezing?

I can't really find a definitive answer to this and it is pretty unbelievable how many people we know that have sustained busted pipes with this storm.

Used or not it should have been shut off last week on tuesday with faucets or shower open to releive pressure off of the line.
As mentioned copper pipes will swell and split like a water Mellon.
I'd turn water off to your room now and when things are above freezing I'd turn it on slowly and look for damage.
Good Luck.

Re: When Frozen Pipes Start to Thaw [Re: Lazyjack] #8174069 02/18/21 12:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Lazyjack
Not a plumber but have seen frozen water copper. When a copper line freezes, it swells and often splits. When it thaws water will spew damaged area if it splits.

If I thought I had frozen lines. I would secure water when I was not there to observe for water damage. I would also open faucets. When I had water flow, I knew line is not frozen and could check for leaks. Another advantage to having fauctes open, if the line is damaged, most of the water would flow out the faucets. There would still be leak at damage area but would probably lessen amout of water damage.


By the way, I have seen freeze damage go without leaking until heat of summer.


Good advise.


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Re: When Frozen Pipes Start to Thaw [Re: Gringo Bling] #8174075 02/18/21 12:21 AM
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My copper pipes to the outside faucets froze even though they were wrapped. I went out and checked them today. I got lucky they didn't split.

Re: When Frozen Pipes Start to Thaw [Re: Gringo Bling] #8174174 02/18/21 01:29 AM
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The problem with cutting water to that room is that it is on the same line as to my house. I’m just keeping that room warm and hoping there’s no water in the lines since it’s been at least a month since anyone has been out there. I’ll post an update.

Re: When Frozen Pipes Start to Thaw [Re: Gringo Bling] #8174183 02/18/21 01:37 AM
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Ours thawed enough to start pouring into the entry and my office

Re: When Frozen Pipes Start to Thaw [Re: Gringo Bling] #8174196 02/18/21 01:45 AM
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I have 3 outside hose bibs. None are frostproof. One come out of a slab. Other two stub out from under house..

Have usual covers, plus a box with an electric light. Fingers crossed!

Master bath plumbing is on outside wall. Cold water froze, but down steam toliet water supply didn't. ???
Rest of plumbing on inside walls.

Find out Friday I reckon.


If the 2nd amendment was written just to include guns for hunting, why is there not an amendment to protect fishing poles?
Re: When Frozen Pipes Start to Thaw [Re: Gringo Bling] #8174243 02/18/21 02:20 AM
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Already found the first busted pipe in my shop. Luckily I had my dog along to supervise clean up. Fun times. bang
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Re: When Frozen Pipes Start to Thaw [Re: Gringo Bling] #8174251 02/18/21 02:25 AM
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I got very, very lucky. Water to house was frozen since Monday morning. Yesterday I finally resorted to wrapping electical heat tape around the main water line/meter/supply line to house, and it worked. It took almost 7 hours for the tape to work and thaw the line, but last night about 9pm it started flowing. Spent today looking for leaks and so far there are none thank God.

Re: When Frozen Pipes Start to Thaw [Re: Gringo Bling] #8174296 02/18/21 02:59 AM
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I’ve had every faucet inside running hot and cold lines since Sunday and they’re all still flowing. 3 of my 4 toilets won’t flush, like the drains are froze. What can I do there? I haven’t had electricity for 4 days.


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Re: When Frozen Pipes Start to Thaw [Re: Gringo Bling] #8174372 02/18/21 04:00 AM
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So far we have hot/cold water all thru the house and commodes flush in all bathrooms.The three faucets outside havn't fared too good and I bet they are frozen all the way to the ground but I have my plumber on call for Friday or Saturday whenever they thaw out as i'll probably need him.


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Re: When Frozen Pipes Start to Thaw [Re: LFD2037] #8174398 02/18/21 04:34 AM
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Originally Posted by LFD2037
I’ve had every faucet inside running hot and cold lines since Sunday and they’re all still flowing. 3 of my 4 toilets won’t flush, like the drains are froze. What can I do there? I haven’t had electricity for 4 days.


I've had this happen when I lived up north. The plumber came out with a truck that could pump high pressure steam into the drain line and thaw it out. In this case, I'd use the functional one and wait for warmer weather.

Re: When Frozen Pipes Start to Thaw [Re: SherpaPhil] #8174401 02/18/21 04:36 AM
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Originally Posted by SherpaPhil
Originally Posted by LFD2037
I’ve had every faucet inside running hot and cold lines since Sunday and they’re all still flowing. 3 of my 4 toilets won’t flush, like the drains are froze. What can I do there? I haven’t had electricity for 4 days.


I've had this happen when I lived up north. The plumber came out with a truck that could pump high pressure steam into the drain line and thaw it out. In this case, I'd use the functional one and wait for warmer weather.

Thanks. That’s the plan!


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Re: When Frozen Pipes Start to Thaw [Re: Gringo Bling] #8174696 02/18/21 03:08 PM
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If you don't have any visible leaks after thawing - I would still go watch your meter. Most newer meters have the little leak detection gauges. Sometimes a pressure change will cause it to spin a tiny amount in one direction - and then back the other direction - that's normal. If it's continuously moving and all water is shut off - you've got a leak of some sorts. Can also snap a picture of the numbers and go back and check it later - with all water shut off.

Re: When Frozen Pipes Start to Thaw [Re: Cochise] #8174765 02/18/21 04:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Cochise
If you don't have any visible leaks after thawing - I would still go watch your meter. Most newer meters have the little leak detection gauges. Sometimes a pressure change will cause it to spin a tiny amount in one direction - and then back the other direction - that's normal. If it's continuously moving and all water is shut off - you've got a leak of some sorts. Can also snap a picture of the numbers and go back and check it later - with all water shut off.


Great advise Cochise. Im going to watch that that when i turn on the water. I drained the house so I'm going to have to take into account the air in the lines compressing for a bit while spits and purges.


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