Hello. I am worried how much damage is going to be done due to my latest bout of procrastination. It's freezing outside here in Minnesota and I just now went to open the outside tap to prevent frozen pipes. Oh-uh. Too late. I can't open the outside tap any longer - and the handle is about to snap off. I was able to close the inside shut-off valve (located just inside the wall from the outside tape - pipe between the inside valve and the outside tap can't be more than a foot long). So there is water, frozen or soon to be, trapped inside this short section of pipe and I suppose it's just a matter of time until it bursts. Any suggestions on how I can make this situtation better?

Can you heat it outside witha heat gun, hair dryer or torch?

Yes, freezing pipes can be heated by heat gun, hair dryer or heat lamps.

Once you have thawed the outside pipe, consider a styrafoam Cover to place over the hydrant/tap to help prevent this from happening again.

Best Wishes