Frozen pipes will thaw on their own once the house or the weather warms up, but waiting is risky. If the pipe split while it was frozen, it starts leaking the moment the ice melts, often during the day while everyone is out. Thaw it under control with the main valve ready, or call (413) 603-1274.
Why waiting is a gamble
When water freezes in a pipe, the ice blocks it and pressure builds between the ice and the closed faucet. That pressure can split the pipe, usually in a section with no ice in it. Nothing leaks while it is frozen solid. The water only escapes when the ice melts. So the moment the pipe "fixes itself" is the moment a crack starts flooding. In Chicopee, that is why burst pipe calls peak one to three days after a deep freeze breaks.
If you choose to wait
- Shut the main valve while you are not home, then thaw with someone present
- Leave the faucet open so meltwater has somewhere to go
- Keep the heat up and open sink cabinet doors
- Check walls, ceilings and the basement as the pipe thaws
Better: thaw it under control
Gentle heat, the faucet open and someone watching, with the main valve ready. See how to thaw frozen pipes safely. If the pipe is inside a wall or you cannot find it, we can do it with the shut-off ready and fix any split on the spot. See frozen pipe thawing.
What happens when the weather turns
In Chicopee, cold snaps often end with a quick swing to the 40s or 50s. That warm-up thaws the pipe for you, but it also finds every split the freeze made. Water comes out at full pressure, often inside a wall or ceiling, and often while you are at work or asleep. Many of the worst burst pipe calls in the city come one to three days after a deep freeze breaks, exactly when people assumed the problem had gone away.
Signs it thawed and leaked
- Water flow comes back but pressure is weak
- You hear water running when nothing is on
- A wet stain on a wall, ceiling or basement floor
- The water meter keeps moving with every tap closed
If you see any of these, shut the main valve right away. See why pipes burst when they thaw and signs of a burst pipe in a wall.
If you are away when it thaws
If you know pipes froze and you have to leave the house, shut the main valve before you go and open a faucet. When the pipe thaws, any split will drain only what was in the lines instead of running at full pressure until you come home. Then call to have the frozen section checked and repaired.
Questions
How long does a frozen pipe take to thaw by itself?
It depends on where it is. A pipe in a heated room may thaw in hours. One in an outside wall may stay frozen until the weather warms.
How do I know if it split?
Often you do not until it thaws. Bulges or cracks on exposed copper are a sign. See why pipes burst when they thaw.
Pipes frozen? Call now
Call (413) 603-1274 now. Locally owned in Chicopee.