December 29, 2021

Will Frozen Pipes Thaw on Their Own?

The shorter answer is, yes, frozen pipes will thaw on their own, just like virtually any other object will thaw on its own when exposed to warmer temperatures.

The more important question to ask is, what could happen while you’re waiting for pipes to thaw?

As we learned in high school, water expands when it freezes, which could cause pipes to rupture without you knowing it. You may not find out until that thawing process happens and water leaks from the pipe.

Depending on how much pressure is created by the combination of ice and water flow when someone turns on the water, the pipe could burst and cause serious problems very quickly. Then you could be dealing with mold, damage to your property, cleanup crews, and insurance claims.

There are several signs of frozen pipes:

• Low water flow caused by ice obstructing water
• Bulging pipes caused by pressure from water that expands when it freezes
• Banging or gurgling sounds caused by ice traveling through your pipes
• Surface cracks and condensation, which appear when pipes freeze

If you’re fortunate enough to detect a frozen pipe before it starts to leak or thaw, shut off the main valve and call Tindall & Ranson right away. You can run a space heater or a hair dryer, but that’s just a temporary fix – and you have to find the frozen portion of the pipe first.

The better approach is to get to the source of the problem.

• Do you have plumbing that isn’t properly insulated? This is especially risky in parts of the home that aren’t well-heated, like attics and crawlspaces.
• Was insulation removed but not replaced during a remodeling or construction project?
• Are there gaps in insulation that are allowing cold air to reach your pipes?
• Did you forget to drain an exterior water line?

Tindall & Ranson can pinpoint the location where freezing has occurred, determine why the pipe froze, and take the necessary steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again. As a preventative measure, we can also inspect visible plumbing throughout your home to determine if there’s a risk of freezing.
Sure, all ice will thaw at some point if you’re living in the Princeton/West Windsor area. But that thawing could very well cause a flood in your home. Take steps to prevent pipes from freezing, look for warning signs of frozen pipes, and call Tindall & Ranson right away if you suspect pipes are frozen!

Call 609-897-9770 or visit the Tindall & Ranson website to schedule an appointment. We offer service throughout the Mercer County area, including but not limited to Princeton, West Windsor, East Windsor, Robbinsville, Plainsboro, Pennington, Hopewell, Cranbury, and Lawrenceville.