Mobile homes are a great alternative to traditional housing. With options for customization and different stylings, it's no wonder so many Edmonton residents enjoy the comfort they bring. However, that comfort is challenged by the frigid Edmonton winters, which is why it is so important to winterize your mobile home. But even that cannot always prevent cold air from freezing exposed pipes in your mobile home. They can cause serious damage to your plumbing system when they burst. The local Edmonton plumbers from Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Edmonton have compiled a handy guide on how to unfreeze frozen pipes in a mobile home. Edmonton residents can put it to good use right away to thaw frozen pipes in their mobile homes appropriately.
It doesn't take much to end up with frozen water pipes; they can occur when temperatures drop below -7°C, which, if you live in Edmonton, you know, makes up so much of the year. That cold air gets under your mobile home and can freeze unprotected water lines. If you notice no water or there is visible frost on your pipes, this handy guide will help you unthaw frozen pipes in your mobile home.
Identify the Frozen Pipe
The first step in how to unfreeze frozen pipes in a mobile home starts with locating the frozen section. Take a look around your mobile home and try to look for a particular pipe that has frost. If there are no visible signs, listen for unusual sounds during operation, gently tap your pipes and listen for a less hollow sound. It is a good indicator that the pipe is frozen. Always check underneath the unit, as colder air and damp ground can cause the pipes at the bottom of your mobile home to freeze.
Open Faucets
Once you have found your pesky frozen section of the pipe, you can move on to the next step in our process for unfreezing frozen pipes in a mobile home. Edmonton homeowners should now turn on all the faucets. It seems strange, but this step is crucial in pipe thawing. It releases pressure in the plumbing system, which reduces the chance of pipes bursting and causing water damage. Running water will help prevent freezing in the future as well. So, don't skip this step; it's a crucial aspect of unfreezing frozen pipes in a mobile home.
Apply Heat Safely
Now we can actually get to the core step of unfreezing pipes in a mobile home. The heat. Warm air is a good start, and warm water might seem the next best thing, but applying heat properly ensures you do not burst or cause damage to the drain line or water pipe. To thaw the frozen pipe, you'll need a consistent source of heat, but not too much heat. We recommend a heat gun for this, never an open flame. Even a heat gun needs to be used at a safe distance from combustible materials.
Method 1: Hair Dryer
It isn't too common for homeowners to have a heat gun lying around, but that is okay because most people keep a hair dryer on hand. While the heat gun may work better, the hair dryer is probably the most popular method to unfreeze frozen pipes in a mobile home. Keep the hair dryer close to the frozen pipe or pipes, and move the dryer back and forth to cover all of the sections.
Method 2: Hot Towel
Another method to thaw frozen water pipes in a mobile home is to use a hot towel. You can warm the towel up in the dryer or use hot water. Then, you simply wrap it around to slowly defrost water lines or frozen sewer lines in a mobile home. This is another step in how to unfreeze pipes in a mobile home that only requires everyday items from your home.
Method 3: Heat tape
If your mobile home water pipes are frozen, another tool you can use is heat tape. It is a flexible cable that runs along your pipes and sewer lines and helps prevent pipes from freezing. While prevention is better, heat tape can still be used to unthaw pipes in a mobile home. You wrap them around the frozen pipes, and it will slowly warm them up. Working heat tape is an easy way to unfreeze frozen pipes in a mobile home.
Method 4: Space Heater
While you shouldn't use a propane space heater to keep mobile home pipes from freezing, small electrical units will work in a pinch. They can thaw a frozen pipe slowly, but you have to watch out so as not to create a fire hazard. Aim the unit at the frozen area and allow the air to circulate around pipes and plumbing fixtures to warm the system up.
Set the Temperature
The next step in how to unfreeze pipes in a mobile home is to change the temperature within the unit. You'll want to keep the heat at around 24 to 27°C to combat the cold weather. It will help thaw the pipes and keep them, and you, warm during the process. You can also cover all of the hot air outlets from your furnace which will force the warm air into the belly of the mobile home. Sometimes this trick is enough to thaw the pipe if it’s frozen in the belly.
Be Patient
The final step in our guide on how to unfreeze pipes in a mobile home is to be patient. We know that pipes tend to freeze at the most inconvenient times, but rushing the process could lead to further damage to your system. Now that you are here, consider thinking about how to prevent your mobile home pipes from freezing. Prevention is always better; consider how you can insulate your exposed pipes and other ways to winterize your mobile home. As long as you can avoid reaching that freezing point again, you shouldn't have to worry. The process will be over and your system should be properly producing water now. You'll know it has worked once you hear the water flowing in the section of pipe that was frozen.
Did Your Frozen Pipe Burst? Get the Expert Plumbers Edmonton Homeowners Trust: Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing!
We hope you enjoyed our guide on how to unfreeze frozen pipes in a mobile home. Edmonton plumbers from Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Edmonton are always happy to help you find the best ways to keep mobile home pipes from freezing. If you can't seem to get the process to work for yourself, consider getting in touch with our professionals; we will be there quickly to restore proper functionality to your water supply. Our team provides a wide range of reliable plumbing services, from drain repair and drain cleaning to sewer line repairs and frozen pipe repair. We proudly provide service in Edmonton and the surrounding areas of Empire Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Gold Bar, Riverbend, Stony Plain, St. Albert, Spruce Grove, Sherwood Park, and Pleasantview.
Call us today to schedule an appointment for plumbing services or even just for advice on how to defrost pipes in a mobile home. We'll be happy to help.
