Over time, the pipes will begin to defrost on their own once temperatures exceed freezing. While they're at it, you might start to hear how your pipes are made. As they do, you may begin to hear the sounds of pipes gurgling, rattling, or pounding as the ice begins to move. The hot water heater can do the same thing.
Copper, steel, PVC and other plastic pipes are all susceptible to freezing, with copper being the most vulnerable to breaking when frozen. PVC and other plastics freeze, but they don't always explode. Technically yes, but the “wait and watch” method comes with risks. As the ice begins to thaw, any amount of water trapped between the faucet and the ice will cause an increase in pressure inside the pipe.
This increase in pressure can cause frozen pipes to burst. If the pipes freeze, you may consider simply waiting for them to thaw and thaw on their own. While pipes can naturally defrost over time, there are many problems stemming from this risky method. Depending on the weather and climate in your area, it can take a long time for pipes to thaw because themselves.
Frozen pipes will not thaw unless the outside temperature exceeds freezing for several hours, even up to six hours in total. In addition, meltwater can simply refreeze and cause more damage to pipes, resulting in costly repairs.
