Here is What You Need to Do
If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber.
If you come home to find the pipes in your home have frozen despite your best preventive measures, what is your first step? Don’t panic. Just because they’re frozen doesn’t mean they’ve already burst. Here’s what you can do:
If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber.Do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water. You could be electrocuted.
Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame because it could cause a fire hazard. Water damage is preferable to burning down your house!
You may be able to thaw a frozen pipe using a hairdryer. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, working toward the coldest section of pipe.
If your water pipes have already burst, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve in the house; leave the water faucets turned on. Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shutoff valve is and how to open and close it.
And don’t forget–if you are traveling in the winter months, don’t set the thermostat in your house lower than 55°F (12°C) to be safe!