Frozen pipes are a serious winter plumbing issue that can lead to burst pipes, water damage, and costly repairs if not handled quickly. When temperatures drop below freezing, water inside your pipes can solidify, expanding and increasing pressure inside the pipes—often leading to cracks or complete ruptures.

If your pipes are frozen or you need professional plumbing assistance in Beloeil, Plomberie Beloeil offers emergency plumbing services to safely thaw pipes and prevent long-term damage. Here’s what to do if your pipes freeze—and how to stop it from happening again.

Signs Your Pipes Are Frozen

🚫 No water or very weak water flow from faucets
🚫 Frost or condensation on exposed pipes
🚫 Unusual noises (banging or cracking) when turning on water
🚫 Strange smells from drains (caused by frozen sewer lines)
🚫 Bulging or cracked pipes (indicating serious pressure buildup)

🚨 If you suspect a frozen pipe, act fast to prevent it from bursting!

What to Do If Your Pipes Freeze

1. Locate the Frozen Pipe

🔎 How to find it:
✔ Check areas where pipes are exposed to the cold, such as basements, attics, garages, and crawl spaces.
✔ Look for frost or bulging on the pipes.
✔ Turn on faucets—if only a trickle or no water comes out, the pipe leading to that fixture may be frozen.

🚨 Not sure where the freeze is? Call Plomberie Beloeil for expert assistance.

2. Open the Faucet

🚿 Why it’s important:
Opening the faucet relieves pressure inside the pipe, allowing water to flow once thawing begins.

✔ Steps:
✅ Turn on both hot and cold water slightly.
✅ Leave the faucet open while thawing the pipe.

🚨 Never apply heat to a closed faucet—it could increase pressure and cause a pipe burst!

3. Safely Thaw the Pipe

🔥 How to thaw a frozen pipe safely:
✅ Use a hairdryer on a low setting, moving it evenly along the pipe.
✅ Wrap the pipe with warm towels soaked in hot water.
✅ Place a space heater or heating pad near the affected area.

🚨 What NOT to do:
❌ Never use an open flame (such as a blowtorch)—this is a major fire hazard!
❌ Don’t use boiling water—sudden temperature changes can crack pipes.

🚨 If the pipe is inaccessible or won’t thaw, call Plomberie Beloeil for professional help.

4. Check for Leaks or Bursts

💧 Once the pipe is thawed:
✔ Inspect the pipe for cracks or leaks.
✔ Turn on the faucet fully and check under sinks and around exposed pipes for water pooling.
✔ If you see a leak, turn off the main water supply immediately and call a plumber.

🚨 A small crack can lead to major water damage—get it fixed ASAP!

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes Next Time

1. Insulate Exposed Pipes

✔ Why?
Pipe insulation reduces the risk of freezing, especially in unheated areas.

✔ How?
✅ Wrap pipes with foam insulation sleeves or heat tape.
✅ Seal cracks near pipes to prevent cold air from entering.

🚨 Best for: Basements, garages, crawl spaces, and exterior walls.

2. Keep a Slow Drip Running

✔ Why?
A slight water flow prevents pressure buildup and keeps water moving, reducing the risk of freezing.

✔ How?
✅ Let both hot and cold taps drip slightly in extreme cold.
✅ Focus on faucets connected to exposed pipes.

🚨 Tip: Running water is less likely to freeze than standing water.

3. Maintain a Consistent Indoor Temperature

✔ Why?
Keeping your home warm reduces the chance of pipes freezing, even when you’re away.

✔ How?
✅ Set your thermostat to at least 15°C (60°F)—even when traveling.
✅ Open cabinet doors under sinks to let warm air circulate.
✅ Keep garage doors closed to protect indoor plumbing.

🚨 Leaving town? Don’t turn off the heat completely!

4. Drain Outdoor Faucets & Sprinklers

✔ Why?
Leftover water in outdoor plumbing can freeze, expand, and burst pipes.

✔ How?
✅ Disconnect and store garden hoses indoors.
✅ Shut off the outdoor water supply valve.
✅ Open outdoor faucets to let remaining water drain out.

🚨 Outdoor plumbing is the first to freeze—protect it before winter!

5. Schedule a Winter Plumbing Inspection

✔ Why?
A professional plumber can spot weak points in your plumbing system and prevent potential freezing issues.

✔ What’s included?
✅ Checking for leaks and weak pipes
✅ Insulating exposed pipes
✅ Ensuring your water heater is winter-ready

🚨 Preventative maintenance saves you from costly winter plumbing emergencies!

Why Choose Plomberie Beloeil for Winter Plumbing Services?

🔧 Fast emergency response for frozen and burst pipes
✅ Safe and effective thawing methods to protect your plumbing
💧 Pipe insulation and winterization services to prevent freezing
🏠 Comprehensive plumbing inspections to keep your home safe
💵 Affordable solutions to save you money on repairs

🚨 Frozen pipes can lead to costly damage—act fast and call us today!

Need Help with Frozen Pipes? Call Plomberie Beloeil Now!

If your pipes are frozen or you want to prevent winter plumbing issues, Plomberie Sherbrooke Plus provides expert plumbing services in Beloeil to keep your home safe and your water flowing.