Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    AR2014's Avatar
    AR2014 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jan 1, 2014, 06:59 PM
    Frozen Pipe?
    No hot water coming from kitchen faucet. Thinking maybe frozen pipe(I live in MN and it has been really cold). I have a heater aimed at the pipes under sink. Nothing is happening except when I turn on the hot water side it sounds and looks like water is trying to drip. I am not sure if I should shut off all my water during the night and tomorrow during the day and have a plumber come out... any suggestions?
    smearcase's Avatar
    smearcase Posts: 2,392, Reputation: 316
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #2

    Jan 1, 2014, 08:32 PM
    You would be better advised to let water run slightly rather than shutting it off. And the hot water lines can freeze faster than cold.
    Also, be prepared for leaks to appear as frozen pipe(s) thaw.
    AR2014's Avatar
    AR2014 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    Jan 1, 2014, 08:41 PM
    So let it run slightly meaning NOT to shut the main water valve off? I normally let the hot water drip but now there is nothing even coming out of the side (n and I have the faucet open) so I am not sure if I should just let the cold water side drip and open the hot water side??


    Should I try to see if my dishwasher works? Would that rule out the hot water pipe and narrow it down to the faucet attachment?
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #4

    Jan 1, 2014, 08:48 PM
    Keep hot water faucet open, keep applying heat until hot water begins to flow.

    During the night let the hot water flow at a trickle. Keep cabinet doors open so that heat can get to pipes.

    Turning the water off won't help unless you can drain the pipes. Hopefully the open cabinets will allow enough heat to prevent freezing. The moving hot water will help.

    Are pipes freezing underneath the floor or are the pipes in an exterior wall?

    Do you have water at other faucets?
    AR2014's Avatar
    AR2014 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #5

    Jan 1, 2014, 09:08 PM
    I have been applying heat for like five hours... heater pointed at the pipe under the sink and then for about half an hour with a hairdryer.. nothing still is coming out... When I put my ear up to the spigot it sounds like the water is trying to drip, but nothing is dripping. It is time to get ready for bed and since the hot water is still not dripping I am just nervous about something happening overnight.
    The pipes are in an interior wall. I live in a condo and have had issues before with this but usually putting heat on the wall near my sink helps. I didn't want to bring a plumber out today because 1)it is a holiday and 2) I don't own the pipes in the wall so I have an email into my association.
    Water works everyplace else in the condo, including the hot water.

    I don't want to have to stay up all night and monitor the space heater. Maybe I will just sleep in my family room so in case something happens to the pipe (like it bursts in the wall) I can hear it.
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #6

    Jan 1, 2014, 09:53 PM
    The pipes are in an interior wall
    Did you mean exterior wall? Pipes would not freeze in an interior wall as long as you have heat in your home.
    If pipes are in exterior wall they are indeed the responsibility of the association. All you can do is provide as much heat as you can.
    If pipes burst due to freezing nothing will happen until they thaw. Then water will come streaming out.
    Pipes are already frozen and may have already burst or may not. When pipes thaw water will start coming out the faucet. That is when you start looking for water in the walls. You won't hear when pipes burst.

    If you have been applying heat for five hours with out success, the pipes are not going to thaw during the night. If you can turn off the water, do that to prevent possible damage when they do thaw and go to bed.
    AR2014's Avatar
    AR2014 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #7

    Jan 1, 2014, 10:06 PM
    Actually that is the odd part. I share a kitchen wall with the other condo next to me and that is where I think that the pipe might be frozen..

    I have actually had the pipe burst behind my kitchen wall and the only way that we knew was that the water was streaming into my neighbors condo through the grates on their fireplace.. I was out and they happened to be home so was able to turn the main water off.

    I guess that I am just more worried that it will burst during the night or when I am not home and I am just trying to figure out a way to minimize the damage to my condo. Just trying to figure out what to do while I am asleep or at work tomorrow.

    Sorry for all the questions, but again trying to minimize any potential damage and not wanting to stay up all night and monitor a space heater...
    AR2014's Avatar
    AR2014 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #8

    Jan 1, 2014, 10:08 PM
    And Harold.. thank you so much for the thoughts... you are helping me tonight immensely.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Sewage pipe frozen? [ 2 Answers ]

My furnace went out and my basement got very cold. My main drain pipe in the basement that goes outside and then to the septic tank Has a added pipe that was probably used to drain a water softer. This pvc drain is hooked to the main sewage pipe. It is a few inches higher than the drain going...

Frozen pipe? [ 1 Answers ]

If I have a frozen pipe in a hot water system, will hot water still get sent from furnace past the zone valve?

Frozen pipe [ 4 Answers ]

I believe I have a frozen pipe in my master bath. The water in the whole house runs fine... and even the cold water to the master bath sink works. It is only the hot water tap in the sink that doesn't work... not even a trickle. I've tried a bliw dryer but the pipe goes into the wall - an outside...

Think I might have a frozen pipe [ 1 Answers ]

Current cold snap in portland or. Yesterday morning I had no hot water in the kitchen sink. Cold water works but not a drip when you move the handle to the hot side. Dishwasher is right by the sink and when I turn it on no water makes it to the dishwasher. Hot water works in the rest of the...

Frozen outside pipe [ 2 Answers ]

Hello, I found water under my inside A/C unit & outside pipe was frozen. I turned off A/C & let thraw & changed a dirty filter. I turned my A/C back on. If this doesn't fix problem, what is my next step? Thanks!

View more questions Search