How to Find a Frozen Pipe

5 min read

Winter at Cape Cod can be picturesque and magical, but it also brings the risk of dreaded frozen pipes. This common problem can not only cause disruptions due to no water coming from the faucet but also lead to costly repairs and water damage. Learning how to find frozen pipes early on can save you from a major plumbing disaster and keep your home safe and dry throughout winter.

In this blog post, we take an in-depth look at how you can go about finding a frozen pipe, why they happen, and how you can avoid them in the future. Let’s dive in!

What Is a Frozen Pipe and Why Do Pipes Freeze?

Frozen pipes are literally plumbing lines with frozen water inside them. When temperatures drop to 20 degrees or lower, pipes are at risk of freezing. Those located outside or in the unheated areas of the home, such as the basement and the attic, are more vulnerable to freezing temperatures.

It’s also worth noting that any type of plumbing, whether PEX or copper pipes, can freeze when inclement weather strikes. Unfortunately, when frozen water creates pressure inside the lines, it can eventually burst and cause extensive water damage within seconds.

How To Find a Frozen Pipe in Your Home: 5 Tips and Tricks

There are several steps you can take to locate frozen water lines in your home and seek professional help before further problems arise.

1. Start With the Most Vulnerable Water Lines

A smart strategy for finding frozen pipes is to inspect water lines in the coldest areas of your home first, such as attics, basements, crawl spaces, and exterior walls. Use a flashlight to visually inspect and feel the pipes for noticeable changes.

2. Search for Condensation

Frozen pipes will feel especially cold to the touch and may have condensation on the outside. If possible, touch the lines and physically inspect them for signs of freezing, such as condensation, frost, or ice.

These signs are often present in the colder areas of the house, such as an unheated basement. Meanwhile, in warmer areas of your home, small puddles of water may be present below a line that has been repeatedly freezing and thawing for some time.

3. Look for Cracking or Bulging

A frozen water line may develop tiny fractures due to water freezing and pushing its way out. With this, any expansion, bulging, or cracking at certain sections of the pipe may indicate that the water inside it has already turned to ice.

4. See If Water Comes Out of the Faucets

Turn on all the faucets in your home. Here are some tricks for how to find a frozen pipe worth remembering:

• If only one or two faucets have slow to no drips of water, the frozen water line is likely near those taps.
• If all the water fixtures in a room are not running, the problem is probably near that room’s supply line.
• If all the taps in the home have low or no pressure, the frozen area could be near the main water source.

5. Watch Out for Strange Odors

Stagnant water in frozen pipes can lead to a bad smell. If you notice an unusual sewage smell from your drains, it might indicate frozen pipes.

What To Do Next After Discovering Frozen Pipes

If you discover or suspect frozen water lines in your home, promptly taking the proper steps can help prevent frozen pipes from bursting or minimize damage after a burst water line.

• Contact an Emergency Plumbing Service

Once you’ve identified a frozen pipe, don’t hesitate to contact a local emergency plumbing service. Some pipes can be challenging to evaluate and repair without experience, making professional assistance crucial.

• Turn Off Your Water Supply

While waiting for the professionals to arrive, turn off your main water supply to prevent further damage.

• Drain Your Taps To Prevent Bursting

Drain all the taps in your home to relieve pressure in the pipes. Turn on hot and cold taps to facilitate draining and prevent burst pipes.

Get Expert Help To Locate and Address Your Frozen Pipes

When it comes to protecting your home from frozen pipes, early detection is your best defense. If you’re struggling to locate or repair frozen pipes, consider reaching out to the experts at Restoration 1 of Cape Cod for prompt and professional help.

As experienced professionals in frozen and burst pipe cleanup, we come to your location equipped with the right restoration solutions for burst water lines. We understand how stressful and uncomfortable this dilemma can be, so we work efficiently to resolve the water damage it caused and return your home to normal.

Let Restoration 1 of Cape Cod help you keep your home dry and comfortable this winter. Call us today and get prompt, expert assistance from friendly and reliable professionals.