Repairing a Frozen Pipe
In just a matter of a months winter will be upon us. Besides
bundling up from the cold and shoveling snow, homeowners
sometimes have to deal with the additional task of fixing frozen
pipes.
Prevention is the Best Medicine
The best way to deal with frozen pipes is to prevent them in the
first place. If you have the luxury of participating and/or
overseeing the building of your home, make sure the plumber does
not run any plumbing supply lines in the outside walls of the
home. Even if he indicates he will wrap them in insulation, do
not accept this compromise. I have seen even insulated pipes in
outside walls freeze.
If, however, you have an existing home and there are plumbing
supply lines running on the outside walls that you have access
to, then insulate these pipes with pipe insulation. It is better
than nothing.
How to Fix a Frozen Pipe
If in the event you do find yourself with a frozen pipe, then I
recommend the following: