Plumbing help

Forum guidelines BT super discount
Other Resources My Cup of Joe » Plumbing help Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, the bear, DerekL, alicefoeller Reply
2013-01-16 10:30 AM

User image

Elite
4564
200020005002525
Boise
Subject: Plumbing help
Well we had a bout of cold weather recently and my kitchen sink pipes froze. I was able to thaw them out briefly but then the water flow slowed to a trickle. Now if I turn on the faucet I can get hot water to dribble out but it is only a dribble. I suspect my pipes are busted. Any thoughts?

2013-01-16 10:43 AM
in reply to: #4581000

User image

Master
2504
2000500
Southwest Iowa
Subject: RE: Plumbing help

Your house, your apartment, crawl space, full basement, copper, steel or pvc?

You may have frozen but not broken pipes.  Trace the plumbing of both water lines down to next place and look for any swollen or cracked pipes.  Some people get very lucky and the pipes do not break.  I have seen water lines in galv. steel, pvc and copper.  If it is a new enough build it might be done in PEX.  Usually when they heat the pipes up enough to thaw the ice, the holes become very obvious.

 

 

2013-01-16 10:45 AM
in reply to: #4581000

User image

Extreme Veteran
3177
20001000100252525
Subject: RE: Plumbing help
I would turn off the water in the house and then trace the pipes as best as possible. Is this only in the kitchen or is it all faucets in the house? Unfortunately it is very easy for exposed pipes or pipes in areas without adequate insulation to freeze and potentially burst. Once you find the problem area, make sure to identify why the pipes froze in the first place and fix that as well as fixing the pipes themselves.
2013-01-16 11:47 AM
in reply to: #4581000

User image

Veteran
399
100100100252525
Puyallup, WA
Subject: RE: Plumbing help
I am a plumber by trade. Describe your house/apt. As previously asked, crawl space, basement, slab? Water flows elsewhere? I would first check for water flowing from burst pipes and if none, let the water run at the sink until flowing freely, continuing to check for leaks. Assuming your kit sink is on an outside wall (they always like putting them under a window) leave your sink base doors open to allow room heat to the plumbing & wall.
New Thread
Other Resources My Cup of Joe » Plumbing help Rss Feed