One way to prevent frozen pipes is to open the faucet to allow water to trickle out.
Sadly, pipes are susceptible to freezing when exposed to colder temperatures, and plastic pipes are no different. Unlike copper pipes, which freeze and then expand to stretch their fittings, plastic pipes are flexible enough to resist warping, and therefore prevent leaks around fittings. Unfortunately, plastic pipes are not completely fail-proof. They can freeze and break under extreme cold weather conditions. The good thing about plastic pipes is that they defrost with the same techniques applied to copper pipes. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Shut the valve to the plastic pipes that are frozen. In case of a broken pipe, this prevents water from leaking onto nearby surfaces.
2. Open the spigots to the frozen plastic pipes. This allows water to flow through the pipes, flushing small bits of ice. It also lets you know when the pipes are thawed.
3. Fold a sheet of aluminum foil to create a thick buffer between your heat source and the wall near the frozen plastic pipes. Place the foil behind the pipes. Staple the foil into place, or use durable tape to secure the foil.
4. Heat the plastic pipes with a heat gun or hair dryer. Slowly move the heat source up and down the length of the frozen plastic pipe. You may also use a heat lamp or portable space heater if you cannot access the plastic pipes directly.
Tags: plastic pipes, frozen plastic, copper pipes, frozen plastic pipes, heat source, pipes that, plastic pipes