Sorry for a very short post today. Notice the ice on my kitchen window. This is the first time in 25 years I have seen this window like this. And I also have frozen pipes! I have one faucet that is running even when it is fully turned off. What causes this? I am back to holding a hairdryer to the pipes!
Comments
If the faucet you shut off is continuing to flow at more than a trickle, it would probably be best to shut off the water main & try to get a hold of a plummer to see how to proceed. A valve in the faucet itself may be broken or displaced by ice as opposed to something being broken in the pipe running to it. Have you been letting all your exterior wall sink run at a trickle? This helps prevent the pipe from freezing. Also leave all cabinet/vanity doors below the sinks wide open so heat can circulate around the pipes.
If you suspect or know a pipe is broken, the only thing to do do prevent more damage is to shut off the main ASAP & call until you get a plummer to consult with. You also might want to fill a tub with water in case you need it to flush the toilets, if you have to shut off the water for any length of time.
Make the house as quite as possible & listen to any exterior wall where pipes are likely to run. If you hear something that makes you think you hear water moving, again, you need to shut the main & call a plummer for help. There is nothing else you can do.
If the faucet that is running stops running & you see/hear no signs of pipe problems, do all the precautionary things and check periodically for signs of leaks, especially the first couple of days when temps rise & complete thawing takes place.You need to scan the house for any signs/sound of problems until your frigid temps are over for a couple of days. I imagine you already had insulated foam covers on your outdoor faucets & water systems. .
Sorry there is not more that can be done. Hopefully, the water main is somewhere you can easily access it. Keep your eyes & ears open. Never try to thaw a pipe quickly - slow & low heat is the way to go. Always warm faucets starting with the end closest to you working the warmth towards the wall.
I hope you end up with no major problems with the pipes and that the worst of this weather is over.
frozen pipes too, wow, thats a mess, hope you warm up soon,
this winter is nasty!
I hope you get it sorted out.
Stay warm!
Secondly I cannot believe your pipes are freezing, usually that happens only when the house gets too cold or is left unattended. I've only had it happen to me once when I lived in an old farmhouse - I was a kid and trying to figure out how to keep the woodstove going all night without having to keep getting up and it went out on me. Poof, frozen pipes in the kitchen, one cold and unhappy me.
I hope you don't have continued trouble with em. So weird!
Monica Ryan @ VillagePlumbing
Don Bennett @ Athens Plumbing & Well Service
Gordon Patton @ Bison Plumbing