10 Cost Saving Tips for Repairing Frozen Pipes

Posted on February 17, 2023 by weilhammerplumbing

Winter weather is in full effect and with it comes the dreaded frozen pipes. It’s a common problem for homeowners, especially those living in cold climates. But don’t despair – there are ways to repair frozen pipes without breaking the bank. In this blog post, we’ll provide 10 cost saving tips for repairing frozen pipes from a master plumber that can help you get your home back up and running quickly and affordably. Read on to learn more about how you can save money while fixing your plumbing woes!

Call 317-784-1870 For Frozen Pipe Repair in Indianapolis.

How to Avoid Costly Frozen Pipe Repair and Replacement

1. Check for External Sources of Heat: Look for any external sources of heat that may be causing your pipes to freeze. This could include things like a space heater, or warm air from an attic fan in the same room as your frozen pipes. If you find something, turn it off and check the temperature around your pipes to make sure they are not exposed to extreme temperatures.

2. Open Cabinet Doors: Opening cabinet doors can help keep warm air circulating around the frozen pipe, which will help thaw it more quickly and reduce the risk of future freezing incidents.

3. Turn on Faucets: Turning on faucets in rooms near where the frozen pipe is located will also help draw some warmth into the area, which can help thaw the pipe faster and reduce the damage caused.

4. Use Heat Tape: If you’re dealing with a serious frozen pipe problem, consider using heat tape to help keep the pipes warm and prevent future freezing incidents. This is an affordable and easy solution that should be done by a professional plumber.

5. Shut Off Water Supply: To avoid any further water damage, it’s important to shut off your home’s main water supply as soon as you begin to notice signs of frozen pipes. This will prevent excess water from spilling out of broken or burst pipes when they finally thaw out.

6. Let Hot Water Run Through Pipes: Running hot water through your pipes can help melt away ice and thaw the frozen pipes quickly. Just be sure not to leave the water running for too long, as it can cause additional damage to your plumbing system.

7. Use a Hair Dryer: Another effective way to thaw frozen pipes is using a hair dryer. Just make sure you keep the heat on low and don’t get too close to the pipe, as this could cause burns or other damage.

8. Wrap Pipes with Towels: Wrapping towels around your frozen pipes can help hold in heat that will slowly thaw them out without causing any damage to your plumbing system.

9. Insulate Your Pipes: Make sure all exposed pipes in your home are properly insulated to avoid future freezing problems. This is a great way to save money on repairs in the long run.

10. Call a Licensed Plumber: If all else fails, it’s important to call a professional licensed plumber who can quickly identify and fix the problem. While this may be more expensive than fixing it yourself, it will help ensure that your frozen pipes are repaired properly and won’t cause any further damage down the line.

Seek Professional Plumbing Repair if All DIY Efforts Fail

Following these 10 cost saving tips for repairing frozen pipes from an experienced master plumber should help you get your plumbing system back up and running without breaking the bank. Remember to use caution when dealing with frozen pipes, as improper handling could lead to additional damage or injury. And don’t hesitate to contact a professional if you are unable to fix the issue yourself.

Didn’t catch a vulnerable or exposed pipe in time? Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for licensed and insured plumbing repair for frozen pipes in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve residential and commercial clients.

What to Do if Your Pipes Froze Over and Burst Open

Posted on February 16, 2022 by weilhammerplumbing

The climate got pretty cold this winter. But with these warmer temperatures coming through out of nowhere, all the recent snow and ice is beginning to melt away. You might think that frozen plumbing pipes are a common phone call to the local plumber, but the truth is, the melting of snow and ice is when the calls start coming in. Once the ice within frozen plumbing pipes start to melt, pipe ruptures become apparent because they present themselves in the form of water leaks.

If you have just discovered that one of your indoor or outdoor plumbing pipes burst as a result of the recent freeze-thaw cycle, continue below to learn a step-by-step guide on how to deal with it, safely and in the best interest of your budget.

Frozen Pipe Repair Indianapolis Indiana 317-784-1870

Frozen Pipe Prevention Advice

Prevention is key when it comes to managing frozen plumbing pipes every winter. The best preventative maintenance for this seasonal plumbing threat is pipe insulation. It is helpful to insulate your plumbing pipes, which can protect them against pipe ruptures if water freezes within them.

If you are leaving for a trip in the winter, it helps to keep your faucet dripping just slightly to prevent the water inside the pipes from freezing while you are away. Overall, a licensed plumber can help you develop the right plumbing plan for your home or office, and effectively safeguard your property against frozen pipes and similar plumbing disasters.

How to Manage a Frozen Pipe Burst

So, your pipes frozen over this winter, and now you have found a ruptured connecter joint pivot or small leak in your piping? Act quickly, and do this:

1) Shut Off the Main Water Supply

You do not want the pipe to continue spewing water all over the place, so immediately react by shutting down the water to the property. Even if it is a small leak or dribble, turning off the water will stop the leak from worsening, or even exploding due to a buildup of pressure.

2) Clean Up Water Spillage

Grab your mop, bucket, and a whole bunch of towels. You do not want the water leakage to sit for a longer period of time. This can cause damages to drywall, floorboards, insulation, and more. Clean up whatever water has pooled around the burst pipe, and standby to clean up more if the leak persists for a while.

3) Warm Up the Pipes With Warming Tape

Please take note: This step might not be something you are capable of doing. Many burst pipe scenarios happen in a location of the plumbing system that is not easily accessible, or even visible, by the average homeowner. If this is your case, move onto step 4, which is to contact a licensed Indianapolis master plumber. They are equipped with the property resources and technologies to locate and identify frozen pipes and pipe ruptures.

On the other hand, you may be able to see and access the frozen pipe if it is, for instance, beneath the sink. If you can access the frozen pipe, your next step would be to attempt to thaw it out. Wrap thermostatic control warming tape around the frozen pipe or use hand warmers. You can purchase this at your local home improvement store or online retailer. Expect to pay between $20 and $200, depending on the length you need. You can also slowly add in heat from heating lamps or hair dryers. But be careful not to apply too much heat.

4) Call a Licensed Plumber

You can’t live with your water shut off forever. So, your next step is to contact a licensed and insured plumbing company in Indianapolis for frozen pipe plumbing repair service. They can address all the specific issues surrounding your pipe burst, and repair all ruptures in a timely manner.

5) Contact Your Insurance Company

Now that you have help on the way and your mess has been mitigated, you are ready to contact your insurance company to discuss what your policy covers. You may need to make a claim for repair.

Are you looking for a qualified plumber to help you deal with a water leak issue in your home or office? Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for frozen pipe repair and water leak repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve residential and commercial clients.

Indianapolis Indiana Master Plumbers 317-784-1870

Help! My Pipes are Frozen!

Posted on January 4, 2018 by weilhammerplumbing

Frozen Pipe Repair 317-784-1870

The winter has just begun, yet it has already proven to be a harsh one. Below freezing temperatures affect all aspects of everyday living and comfort. One of the most affected areas to endure problems from freezing snow and ice are plumbing pipes. Fortunately, this issue can be avoided with proper preventative maintenance and diligence.

If your pipes are already frozen, continue reading to learn what you can do to prevent frozen pipes, as well as, how to get them unfrozen in a short amount of time.

Frozen Pipe Prevention

Frozen pipes are a common issue for residential and commercial buildings this time of year. Although most plumbing pipes in Indiana are insulated to withstand cold climates, they can still freeze up in extreme temperature drops. For this reason, it is important to do what you can to prevent your plumbing pipes from freezing up.

Here are the best methods for preventing frozen pipes:

❅ Disconnect Outdoor Hoses
❅ Install Faucet Insulators on Outdoor Spigots
❅ Protect and Insulate Outdoor Kitchens
❅ Install Foam Pipe Insulation Around Pipes in Cold Areas
(i.e. crawl spaces, attics, basements, etc.)
❅ Wrap Exposed Plumbing Pipes With Heat Tape
❅ Increase or Upgrade Insulation Around Pipes in Exterior Walls
❅ Maintain Indoor Temperatures Above 50 Degrees Fahrenheit
❅ Have Exterior Cracks and Gaps Properly Sealed

Pipes Already Frozen?

If plumbing pipes are old, defective, or inadequately insulated, they are vulnerable to freezing due to seasonal freeze and thaw conditions. When this happens, certain signs start to appear. The most common is a burst pipe. When a frozen pipe has contracted and expanded as a result of freeze/thaw conditions, heavy rushing water can flow through weakened pipes and cause a sudden eruption. If this is your current circumstance, there are a few important steps to take right away.

If a Frozen Pipe Bursts:

❶ Shut Off the Water Supply to the Home
❷ Shut Off Electricity in the Surrounding Area
❸ Contact a Professional for 24 Hour Emergency Plumbing Repair
❹ Clean Up Water to Prevent Mold and Mildew Growth

Indianapolis Frozen Pipe Repair

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for prompt and professional Indianapolis frozen pipe repair you can afford. Owner and master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, provides residential and commercial plumbing services, including 24 hour emergency plumbing repair. Our team of licensed and insured plumbers deliver safe and effective plumbing repair at an affordable price. Call 317-784-1870 to request a free estimate, today.

Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc.

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