Frozen Pipes in Delaware: How to Prevent Them, Thaw Them and Know When One Has Burst
Delaware does not get Minnesota winters, and that is exactly why pipes freeze here: homes are built with pipes in crawl spaces, garages and exterior walls that a colder climate would never allow. A three-night cold snap in the teens is all it takes.
Prevention (do this in November)
Insulate exposed pipes in crawl spaces, attics and garages. Close crawl space vents. Disconnect hoses and shut off and drain outdoor hose bibs. On nights below 20°F, let the faucet farthest from the main drip and open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls. If you leave a beach house in Bethany, Lewes or Rehoboth empty for winter, have the system winterized.
Thawing a frozen pipe safely
Open the faucet the pipe serves. Warm the pipe starting nearest the faucet with a hair dryer, heat lamp or towels soaked in hot water. Never use a torch or open flame. If you cannot reach the frozen section, or the pipe is inside a wall, call for frozen pipe repair before it splits.
How to know a pipe has burst before the thaw
A frozen pipe often splits while frozen and only leaks once it thaws. Warning signs: frost or a bulge on a visible pipe, a whistling sound, water stains appearing after the cold snap ends. If you suspect a split, shut off the main before thawing.
Burst pipe? We answer 24/7 in Millsboro
Straightline Plumbing and Guttering handles burst and frozen pipe emergencies across Delaware every winter. We stop the water, replace the split section, and insulate the run. Call (888) 480-9811.
Related service: Burst Pipe Repair · Burst Pipe Repair in Millsboro