Kitchen Pipes: How to Unfreeze Them

Unfortunately, with winter fast approaching, frozen metal pipes will be a common occurrence once the temperatures start to drop. As such, we all try our best to keep everything in the home dry and warm but when the pipes freeze, it can leave the whole house without water until they’re thawed. The worst thing that can happen is if they burst and leave the house flooded, causing huge water damage; in this article, we share how to unfreeze kitchen pipes. 

Why You Need to Fix Frozen Pipes

There are many reasons why you need to fix any frozen pipes immediately; below are just a few of them. 

• When water freezes inside your pipes, it can expand to form a blockage which will then obstruct the flow of water and increase the water pressure between a closed faucet or tap and the ice blockage. 
• If left without addressing the issue, the heightened water pressure may lead to a burst pipe. 
• A pipe burst can result in significant amounts of water damage; even if the pipe doesn’t burst but stays frozen, a leak can still cause lots of damage as time passes. 
• Any kind of damage involving water can lead to costly repairs, and when a pipe bursts, there’s no telling how much money you’ll need to spend to get things back in working order.  

These are the main reasons why a frozen water pipe needs to be given immediate attention. The good news is that we’ve shared how you can effectively and safely thaw frozen water pipes.   

Signs of a Frozen Pipe

You may not always notice a frozen pipe since it can be subtle before showing you a burst pipe. However, a frozen pipe can give itself away through the following: 

• A decrease in water pressure or the complete absence in the flow of water from your taps. If you notice a drop in your kitchen’s water flow, it could be a good sign of a frozen pipe. 
• Seeing frost on your pipes is another sign; if your pipe freezes, you should see frost cover the frozen length of pipe, especially if it’s exposed. 
• Chilly drafts around cabinets and cupboards that house your kitchen’s water supply lines. 
• Suddenly running out of water after experiencing cold weather, especially during winter. 

As such, it’s important to keep an eye on your home’s pipes; this is particularly important for those that are exposed or in areas without insulation. Unfortunately, the main water line that comes out of your house is also vulnerable to freezing during cold temperatures. Luckily, discovering frozen pipes doesn’t necessarily point to water damage, but suddenly thawing them out can put stress on the pipes which can result in them bursting. 

Being able to identify frozen pipes early on can help save you from paying gallons of water damage. However, keep in mind that you need to be observant and vigilant while taking quick action once you see a frozen pipe; doing this will give you a good chance of thawing it before damage takes place.  

Locating the Frozen Area

Once you determine that you have a frozen pipe, you must pinpoint its location as soon as possible to help prevent any further damage. If just one faucet or tap in your home has stopped working, then the frozen pipe area may be nearby. Another way to locate the pipe is through unusual smells; if the pipe has become blocked, you may notice a strong odor permeating through the pipe as a result of waste water or food particles. 

You should also check your crawl space to see if there are any leaks that will help you identify the source of the blockage. Fortunately, you can also use the following tips to find the frozen section of pipe: 

• Test all the faucets and pipes inside your house.
• Check for ice or frost covering your pipes. 
• Touch to check for cold water pipes; this is especially useful with copper pipes. 
• Frozen water pipes will be mostly found throughout the exterior walls. 

If your frozen pipe thaws and a bust occurs, make sure to shut off your house’s main water supply quickly and then call a plumber. 

The Best Ways to Unfreeze Kitchen Pipes

Here are some of the best ways for you to unfreeze your kitchen pipes if you need water back as quickly as possible. 

Using Hot Water

If you’re stuck with frozen pipes, using hot water can be a great solution and is relatively easy to do. However, you will still need to handle hot water carefully to avoid burns or water damage. Here are a few simple steps for you to swiftly unfreeze pipes with some hot water. 

• The first step is to ensure that your main water is turned off; this will prevent water from flowing and turning into steam as a result of the heat. It’s also crucial in preventing a burst pipe. 
• Use a large pot or bowl to heat up water until it’s almost boiling. 
• Slowly pour your hot water along the length of your frozen pipe, making sure to cover as much of the ice as possible. 
• Next, wrap your pipe in hot towels which will pick up the hot water’s heat while keeping your pipe warm which will speed up the thawing process.  
• Repeat the steps as necessary until the ice has thawed completely and the water flow is restored. 

Using a Heat Lamp

Heat lamps can be a great way to combat frozen pipes, but you should always be careful when using these heat sources to prevent water damage and fire hazards. Remember that you should never leave your heat lamp unattended while you use it and it’s also a good idea to take your time rather than rush the job. Position your heat lamp so that it emits warmth directly over the affected area. 

However, it should be kept at least 20” away from the pipe to prevent damage. Focus on thawing your pipes gradually since a sudden burst of heat can lead to a rapid expansion of the pipe that may cause it to burst. 

Using a Heat Cable

Heat tapes or heat cables are a great tool for thawing pipes; these long and flexible strips become warm when plugged in and behave similarly to a low-grade heat gun.  

• Unroll your heat cable to cover your pipe’s frozen areas. Again, too much heat can cause a burst pipe, so look for an option with a built-in thermostat that will turn itself off when it reaches a certain temperature. 
• Wrap your cable only along the affected areas to avoid damage to pipes that are working properly. 
• Plug in your heat cable and allow the process to take place slowly. 
• Once you hear running water or feel warmth over your pipes then it’s a good sign that the thawing process has been successful. 

Just keep in mind that heat cables shouldn’t be used on plastic pipes since they can potentially melt.   

Conclusion 

Now that you know about the different ways to unfreeze kitchen pipes, you should be able to get your water back quickly. However, it’s important to work only on the affected area and look for your main shut-off valve to prevent a burst pipe. If all else fails, you can always call a professional plumber to ensure that everything goes back to normal — good luck!

Sources 

• Betterkitchens.co.uk
• Bobvila.com
• Rockemergency.com