Frozen Pipe Repair · Lethbridge, AB
Frozen Pipe Repair in Lethbridge, AB
Lethbridge winters are milder than most on the prairies, but cold snaps still come, and the warm chinook that follows is often when a split pipe starts to leak.
Request a plumberIs it frozen?
A tap that trickles or stops while others still flow, a toilet that won't refill, or frost on a pipe in the garage or crawl space. If no taps work at all, the frozen section is likely near where the line comes into the house.
Thawing gently
Open the tap the pipe feeds, then warm the pipe slowly with a hair dryer or warm towels, working back from the tap. Never use a torch or open flame; fires inside walls and crawl spaces are a real winter risk.
The chinook problem
When a chinook arrives after a hard freeze, ice in a split pipe melts and water starts to flow. The leak shows up hours or days after the cold. Check garages, basements and walls behind outdoor taps after every warm spell.
Where pipes freeze
Lines in exterior walls, unheated garages, crawl spaces and under bay windows are the most common. The wind Lethbridge is known for pulls heat from walls fast, so pipes on the windward side of the house freeze first.
Preventing a repeat
After a repair, ask the plumber which pipes need insulation, heat cable or rerouting. Sealing gaps around pipes where they enter the house also helps keep cold wind out.
Getting help
Tell the plumber which taps are dry, where you think the frozen section is and whether any water has escaped. Send a request and a plumber will get in touch.
Mobile and manufactured homes
Homes on skirted foundations often have supply lines exposed underneath, where wind gets in. Keep skirting tight and check heat tape before winter.
Frequently asked questions
- Will a frozen pipe always burst?
- No, but the pressure that builds as ice forms can split a pipe or fitting. Thaw it promptly and watch for leaks as water starts flowing again.
- Can I leave a tap dripping overnight?
- Yes. A slow drip from a tap on an outside wall keeps water moving and makes freezing less likely on the coldest nights.
Other plumbing services
Request a plumber
Repairs, renovations and new projects. Tell us what you need and we'll pass it straight to a plumber, who will call you to go over the job and give you a quote.
- Plumbing repairs, renovations and new projects
- Lethbridge and the towns around it
- Get a quote before any work starts
Need frozen pipe repair in Lethbridge?
Send a request and a plumber will get in touch. Requests answered 7 days a week.
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