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What To Do When Your Pipes Freeze

Frozen Pipe Repair in Haverhill & North Andover | Available 24/7. Call 24/7: (800) 942-8555 OR (978) 352-7900 to speak to our expert plumbers. 

When pipes freeze and burst, they can lead to significant flooding and extensive damage. If you find that no water comes out when you turn on a faucet during a cold spell, you likely have a frozen pipe in your home or building.

When water in the pipes freezes, it expands, which can cause the pipes to burst, leading to significant water damage. Frozen pipes can be a major headache, but with the right steps, you can minimize damage and get your water flowing again. Fortunately, our pros are here to help! For frozen pipe repair in North Andover & Haverhill any time, day or night.

 

Why You Need to Replace Polybutylene Pipes

Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do if your pipes freeze:

Preventative Measures
  • Insulate exposed pipes: Use pipe insulation or foam sleeves to protect pipes in unheated areas.  
  • Keep garage doors closed: This helps maintain warmer temperatures in the garage, where pipes are often located.
  • Let faucet drip: A slow drip can help prevent pipes from freezing.  
If Your Pipes Freeze
  1. Locate the Frozen Pipe: This is often in an exterior wall, attic, basement, or crawl space.  
  2. Open the Faucet: Open the faucet closest to the frozen pipe to relieve pressure when it thaws.  
  3. Apply Heat Gradually:
    • Electric heating pad or hair dryer: Wrap the pipe with a heating pad or use a hair dryer on low heat. Hot water towels: Wrap the pipe with towels soaked in hot water.  
  4. Check for Leaks: Once the pipe is thawed, check for leaks and signs of damage.  
  5. Call a Plumber: If you can’t thaw the pipe or suspect damage, call a professional plumber.  
Preventing Further Issues
  • Maintain Warm Indoor Temperatures: Keep your home at a consistent temperature, even when you’re away.
  • Insulate Your Home: Proper insulation can help prevent pipes from freezing in North Andover.  

Remember: Frozen pipes can lead to burst pipes and significant water damage. If you’re unable to thaw the pipe or if you suspect a burst pipe, call a plumber immediately

  1. Identify the Frozen Pipe

Turn on all the faucets in your house. If only a trickle of water comes out, one of your pipes might freeze.

 Check areas that are less insulated or more susceptible to cold, such as basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, and exterior walls.

  1. Open the Faucet

 Leave the affected faucet open. This relieves the pressure and allows the ice to flow out as it melts.

 Open both the hot and cold handles (if applicable) to relieve pressure in the pipes.

  1. Thaw the Frozen Pipe

 Heat the Pipe:  Use an electric heating pad, a hairdryer, or a portable space heater to apply heat to the frozen section of the pipe. Do not use open flames or blowtorches.

Towel and Hot Water:  Wrap towels soaked in hot water around the frozen pipe for a less direct but still effective method of warming the pipe.

 Heat Lamp/Heat Tape:  Specially designed heat tape or a heat lamp can also be used to warm pipes directly.

  1. Keep an Eye on Water Flow

As you apply heat, you’ll see water starting to flow more freely from the faucet. Continue to apply heat until full pressure returns.

  1. Consult a Professional

If you cannot locate the frozen section, or if the pipe is inaccessible, call a licensed plumber for assistance.

– If you cannot locate the frozen section, or if the pipe is inaccessible, call a licensed plumber for assistance.

Why You Need to Replace Polybutylene Pipes

Common Questions About Frozen Pipes

A: Haverhill & North Andover’s harsh winter weather can lead to extremely low temperatures, which can cause water inside pipes to freeze and expand, potentially causing them to burst.  

A: Signs of a frozen pipe include no water coming from a faucet, a trickle of water, or unusual gurgling sounds.

A: To prevent frozen pipes, insulate exposed pipes, allow faucets to drip slowly during cold weather, open cabinet doors to expose pipes to warmer indoor air, and seal up any drafts.  

 You can try to thaw a frozen pipe by applying heat gradually with a hair dryer or space heater. However, it's essential to use caution and avoid using open flames. If you're unable to thaw the pipe yourself, contact a professional plumber.  

If a pipe bursts, turn off the main water supply immediately, open faucets to relieve pressure, and contact a plumber as soon as possible.  

Yes, insulating exposed pipes can significantly reduce the risk of freezing. Pipe insulation or foam sleeves can be purchased at most hardware stores.  

The cost of frozen pipe repair depends on the extent of the damage and the complexity of the repair. It's best to contact a local plumber for an accurate estimate.

Many homeowners insurance policies cover damage caused by frozen pipes. However, it's important to review your policy to understand your coverage.  

It's always a good idea to call a professional plumber if you suspect a frozen pipe, especially if you're unable to thaw it yourself or if you notice signs of a burst pipe.

Remember: Preventing frozen pipes is crucial. If you experience problems, it’s essential to address them promptly to avoid costly damage.

Why You Need to Replace Polybutylene Pipes

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Serving Haverhill and Beyond
We’re proud to serve residents of:

  • Haverhill, MA: 01830, 01831, 01832, 01835
  • North Andover, MA: 01845
  • Boxford, MA: 01921
  • And many other communities throughout the Merrimack Valley and Southern New Hampshire
Need Immediate Assistance?

If you require water urgently and your pipes are frozen solid, we can help. We have the necessary equipment to efficiently thaw frozen pipes and restore your water supply as quickly as possible. Contact us now for professional frozen pipe assistance.

Polybutylene Pipe Replacement Cost Breakdown

 

The two main costs associated with polybutylene pipe replacement are the materials of the new pipe and the labor to remove old pipes and install the new ones. In some cases, there may be additional costs to factor in.

Materials

New pipe materials can cost anywhere from $0.50 to $8 per linear foot. The material itself does not make up the bulk of polybutylene pipe replacement; instead, the high project costs largely come from the labor.

Labor

Pipe replacement costs an average of $150 to $250 per linear foot. With materials maxing out at around $8 per linear foot, labor clearly accounts for a large portion of the cost.

On average, hiring a plumber costs between $45 and $200 per hour, and most will charge a service fee just to come in the door. Simple pipe replacement may only take a couple of hours, but repiping an entire house can take a week or more.

Plumbing Inspection

If you aren’t sure if your home has any polybutylene pipes, you might want to hire a plumber to conduct a thorough inspection. Plumbing inspections cost between $100 and $1,375, depending on the extent of the inspection.

Even if they don’t find polybutylene pipes to replace, they may discover other plumbing problems you weren’t aware of—meaning they can fix them now before the problems get worse and lead to costly water damage.

Water Damage Repair

On the other hand, you may know your home has polybutylene pipes—possibly because one has just burst and led to severe water damage. If that’s the case, not only will you need to budget for the cost to replace the pipes, but you’ll also need to cover the cost of water damage restoration.

Factors That Affect the Cost to Replace Polybutylene Pipes

Several factors can impact how much you’ll spend to replace polybutylene pipes throughout your home, including the type of replacement pipe you install and the extent of work required.

Type of Replacement Pipe

In general, you’ll choose between three types of pipe when replacing polybutylene pipes: CPVC, PEX, and copper piping.

The plumber you hire can recommend the best pipes for your needs, but here’s a quick breakdown of the three options:

 

  • Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride piping (CPVC): This is the most affordable and common type of pipe for pipe repair, at $0.50 to $1 per linear foot. It’s stronger than regular PVC pipes (often used for waste drainage), can handle high temperatures, is resistant to corrosion, and can last from 50 to 75 years.
  • Polyethylene (PEX) piping: PEX piping is a flexible tubing that won’t rust or corrode. Because it’s coiled, it’s great for navigating the tight spaces and twists and turns within your walls. Prepare to spend between $0.40 and $2 per linear foot. Though PEX is too new to say with certainty, experts believe it can last between 80 and 100 years. 
  • Copper piping: Copper is the most expensive option at $2 to $8 per linear foot, but it’s also the highest quality. These durable pipes can last 100 years—or more, in some cases.

Extent of Replacement

How much you spend on replacing polybutylene pipes depends on how pervasive this material is throughout your home. If your whole home uses polybutylene pipes and it’s 2,000 square feet or more, you might spend up to $15,000 to replace everything.

On the other hand, replacing polybutylene pipes on a single fixture can be much more affordable. On average, repiping a single fixture runs between $70 and $1,000. Luckily, it’s much more likely that you have only one or two fixtures with this type of pipe.

Accessibility, Location, and Time of Year

How much you spend on replacing polybutylene pipes depends on how pervasive this material is throughout your home. If your whole home uses polybutylene pipes and it’s 2,000 square feet or more, you might spend up to $15,000 to replace everything.

On the other hand, replacing polybutylene pipes on a single fixture can be much more affordable. On average, repiping a single fixture runs between $70 and $1,000. Luckily, it’s much more likely that you have only one or two fixtures with this type of pipe.