Frozen Pipe Thawing Plumbing Services

• At the moment we are no longer offering any waterline dethawing service due to city and insurance demands.
  
  The method of dethawing a pipe is by adding electricity to the water line which causes a risk of fire in the walls. This procedure is no longer recommended by the city and by our insurance company.
  
  The only advise we provide our customers is to increase the heating in there home and try to localize the area which caused the waterline to freeze and add a heat within that area.
  
  After the waterline unfreezes, if you notice water leaks please contact us to schedule an appointment to fix the leakage at 514-447-3700.
  
  Please read below for tips to help with frozen waterlines.

A frozen pipe is only a seasonal issue, however, living in Montreal, Laval, the North Shore or South Shore, our winters are faced with cold weather. Below freezing point temperature in the winter causes water to freeze and expand. When pipes freeze, it instantly becomes a problem. Waterlines and pipes in a home can freeze if they are not properly insulated and when temperatures are maintained sub-zero for a few days or more in a row.

Steps to take when you Suspect a Frozen Waterline

Is your faucet trickling when you turn it on? There is likely a blockage of ice somewhere in the water pipe. If you suspect that your waterline is frozen, it is best to take care of the problem as soon as possible. Here are a few steps you can take;

• Step 1: You should start off by closing the main water shutoff valve to your home to prevent water damages.
• Step 2: Close the breaker to the hot water tank to avoid burning your elements.
• Step 3: Open all the faucets in your home and keep them open to release all the water in your pipes.
• Step 4: Increase the heat in your home as this can take a few hours to thaw out the pipes.
• Step 5: After a few hours open the waterline and see if you have water coming out of your faucets.

If these steps did not work, it is time to call us to schedule a pipe thawing service. Always keep in mind that most waterlines / pipes that froze have an issue with insulation. In order to thaw a pipe, walls will need to be opened to successfully resolve the problem and get your water back running again.

A frozen pipe should be thawed as soon as possible, and under controlled conditions to prevent leaking and damage to your home. A pipe can burst when frozen, but the leak generally occurs when the pipe thaws. A frozen pipe does not have to end up with water damages. Make sure to not neglect the situation and follow the steps we provided.

Signs That You Have Frozen Pipes in Your Home

Quick detection of frozen pipes is key to avoiding further damage from this notorious winter plumbing problem. Here’s how to tell if your pipes are frozen:

• Lack of water or reduced water flow from one or more faucets (or other water fixtures)
• Unusual whistling, banging, or clanking noises coming from the pipes or behind the walls
• A visible bulge and/or crack on an exposed pipe
• Icy residue found on an exposed pipe

If the frozen pipe is behind a wall and has already cracked then thawed, you may notice decreased water pressure due to the leak. You may also detect signs of moisture on the wall or floor of your home that is closest to the pipe.

If you notice any of the above signs or a combination of these signs, please contact us immediately. We, at 5 Star Plumbing, have emergency plumbers ready to respond 24/7.

Can you thaw Plastic PEX Waterlines / Pipes?

Unfortunately our tools are not made to thaw out plastic PEX waterlines / pipes. We are only equipped to thaw copper waterlines. We recommend you increase your heat and try to localize which pipe or t is frozen. Once you located the cause of the freeze, we recommend you place a heater near by or add a blow dryer to the pipe. Just remember that if your waterline or pipe froze it means it needs to be insulated. You can successfully thaw out the pipes by following our guide but always remember to insulate the waterlines afterwards.

Preventing Frozen Pipes

A frozen pipe is something any homeowner rather live without. Luckily, there are ways to prevent the problem from occurring by taking the steps to protect your pipes from freezing:

• Let the faucet drip slightly on particularly cold days or nights.
• Open the cabinets to expose the pipes inside the cabinet to heat from the room.
• Insulate your pipes with foam insulation.
• Wrap your troublesome pipes with thermal electrical tape.
• Always keep unheated areas above freezing with a permanent heater.

If your pipes are frozen contact us right away at 514-447-3700. Have our professional plumbers visit your home today to thaw your pipes.

• PLEASE NOTE THAT WITH EXTREME COLD WEATHER MOST HOMEOWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES AT THE SAME TIME. IN THESE PERIODS OUR CALL VOLUME INCREASES AND WE ASK ALL OUR CUSTOMERS TO PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH US. WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO SERVICE AS MANY CUSTOMERS AS POSSIBLE BUT WAIT TIME CAN BE LONGER THAN USUAL.