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Caution
Water leak at home
Water is coming in or pooling. Stop the source, protect what you can, then repair.
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Frozen pipes
No water, or a pipe has burst after a cold snap. Thaw gently or shut off fast.
Act carefully and stop if anything feels unsafe. When in doubt, call a professional.
A frozen pipe is not just an inconvenience; when it thaws it can burst and flood. Act before it does.
Quick checklist
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What to do, step by step
-
1
Identify the frozen section
Often an exterior wall or a cold loft.
10 min -
2
Open the nearest tap
Gives melting water somewhere to go.
1 min -
3
Thaw gently
Warm towels, a hairdryer on low, or a gentle heater. Never a blowtorch.
30 min -
4
If it has burst, shut off the water
Then treat it as a leak.
5 min
What NOT to do
- Never use a naked flame to thaw a pipe.
- Do not pour boiling water on a frozen pipe; the shock can crack it.
Possible causes
Uninsulated pipes
Exterior walls and lofts.
Cold snap
Prolonged freezing temperatures.
Related situations
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Power outage
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Washing machine leaking
Water under the machine. Stop it, contain it, and decide whether it is a repair or a replacement.
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