Frozen Pipes And What To Do If You Faced With It

As a landlord, you have many duties on your plate year-round. The wintertime, however, can be particularly challenging. One reason for this is that there’s always the risk of frozen pipes. Such pipes can burst and cause costly damage when the temperatures dip to bone-chilling levels. You’ll want to know how to unfreeze frozen pipes in order to prevent further problems.

Are Frozen Pipes Dangerous?

Frozen pipes are problematic for several reasons. While such an issue can be aggravating, it can also lead to costly damage that inconveniences your tenants.

1. Lack of Running Water – If pipes freeze, people will not be able to get running water. You can imagine the stress that this can cause your tenants. They won’t be able to take a bath, wash the dishes, or do other things. As the landlord, you’ll need to resolve the issue so that your tenants have access to running water.
2. Potential to Burst – Another problem stemming from frozen pipes is bursting pipes. There’s always the risk of pipes bursting if the water within them is frozen. If the pipes explode due to the built-up pressure inside the pipes, the damage can be extensive. This can lead to leaks, flooding, and slip-and-fall hazards. It’s a good idea to learn how to prevent pipes from freezing. A licensed plumber can help.

Which Pipes Freeze in Winter?

Some pipes are more susceptible to freezing than others are. Consider the following:

1. Exterior Walls – Water pipes that are behind the walls in a residence are susceptible to freezing. The reason is that there may not be sufficient insulation safeguarding the pipes from exposure to cold temperatures.
2. Attics and Basements – Pipes located in basements or attics also face more freezing risks than pipes in many other areas of a residence. Such pipes don’t tend to get enough heat and may not be sufficiently insulated.

How Do You Know if Your Pipes Froze?

There are some tell-tale signs of frozen pipes. Here are some things to look for if you suspect that there are frozen pipes on your property:

1. The Temperature Is Right – How cold before pipes freeze? Pipes can only freeze if the temperature is at or below 0 degrees Celsius. So, when the temperature gets to that range, you need to take steps to ensure that pipes don’t freeze.
2. There Is Frost on the Pipe – Check pipes that are visible to see if there’s any frost on them. If you do see frost accumulation, this can signal that freezing might occur.  You’ll need to take decisive action. This includes calling a licensed plumber.
3. No Water Is Coming Out of the Faucet – If a tenant turns on a faucet but gets no running water or very little running water, this could be a sign of frozen pipes.
4. Strange Smells – Another sign of a possible blocked pipe is if there’s an abnormal smell emanating from the drain.
5. Unusual sounds – If you use a sink or a toilet and hear strange sounds, that’s a sign that there might be a blockage. This is caused when air is trapped and can’t escape. You might hear, for instance, bubbling, clanking, or banging sounds. It’s important that you investigate the problem as soon as possible. Calling a plumber to have the situation sorted out is the right course of action.

Who to Call for Frozen Pipes Repair?

What to do when pipes freeze? Once you’re certain that there’s a frozen pipe situation, you need to call a licensed plumber sooner rather than later. The professional will know all of the effective thawing techniques to prevent a frozen pipe from becoming a burst pipe. Because of the seriousness of the situation, it’s best not to try to do it yourself. If it’s not done correctly, the resulting damage will exceed whatever you saved by not calling a licensed plumber. A licensed plumber will arrive at the scene, assess the problem, and then fix the problem properly the first time around.  

FAQ about Frozen Pipes

If I will use salt does it help me to prevent pipes freezing?

Using a combination of salt and hot water can help to thaw drain pipes. What salt does is reduce the melting point of ice. This solution, however, is not a permanent fix since pipes can still freeze and burst once the temperatures drop far enough. So, instead of relying on the frozen drain pipe salt method, ensure that you book an appointment with a licensed plumber.

How to thaw a frozen drain pipe?

The most common and safest method to thaw pipes is to employ hot water. Another option is to use a heater or even a hairdryer. For underground pipes, you can use thawing blankets such as the ones that are typically employed by construction workers. While using these methods can help, the best option is to call a licensed plumber. The plumber will have the right skill set and the right equipment to do the job correctly. 

How to unblock a frozen drain pipe?

If you need to unblock a frozen drain pipe, try using a combination of vinegar and baking soda. However, if this solution or other solutions listed above don’t work, your next step is to give us at Cheap Plumber a call. We’ll be able to render the assistance you need for any pipe problems you’re experiencing. 

Why Choose Cheap Plumber for Frozen Pipes Repair in Toronto?

Our licensed plumbers at Cheap Plumber have the experience and the expertise needed to quickly and efficiently fix any frozen pipe issues you’re experiencing. We know how to unfreeze frozen pipes — so allow us to help you. 

As well, we appreciate that you have a lot of responsibilities resting on your shoulders as a landlord. That’s why we offer the following:

• Trucks equipped with cutting-edge pipe-thawing technology designed to safely and quickly unfreeze your pipes
• Emergency response capability to get to your site quickly
• Over two decades of experience helping landlords just like you
• Transparent and competitive pricing
• Licensed plumbers who are fully bonded and insured
• Trade license verified and up to date certification
• Worksite cleanup after finishing work at your property

We will treat your property the same way we would treat our own residence. Our staff will work with you from the time you initially establish content, to the time we provide a no-obligation quote, to the time we successfully wrap up the project. Our workers will protect your property by covering up items in the work area. This will make the cleanup stage, after the repairs or replacements, fast.