Beat Frozen Pipes With These Epic Tips
Snowy days, hot chocolate, and Christmas holidays - winters can be an absolute joy. However, the season also has some downsides, and frozen pipes top the list.
Optimal temperatures ensure the water travels through the plumbing system seamlessly. Plummeting temperatures can be bad news since they freeze the water.
Not only does it keep you from accessing water, but it can also lead to potential water damage if not addressed promptly. Keep reading to learn more about frozen pipes and what you can do to prevent them.
How Do Pipes Freeze?
Water begins to freeze when the temperature drops, thus, water pipes are particularly susceptible to freezing. That’s primarily because most of them are located outdoors or in places where heat doesn’t distribute adequately.
We’re all aware that water expands upon freezing. This property of water explains why we must be cautious about placing soda cans or other drinks in the freezer - they can explode. The same applies to your plumbing pipes.
When the water freezes and expands, it risks rupturing the entire system. However, pipes do not burst at the place of ice formation. Instead, frozen portions force pressure between the fixture and the ice block. This is where the pipe is vulnerable to bursts - typically, at portions with no ice.
Chilly wind is another reason for freezing pipes. Cracks and holes allow cold air to flow inside, and the cooling effect escalates ice formation.
The small openings that let the internet and telephone cables inside the building can be the culprit, too. Overall, if your property isn’t designed with freezing temperatures in mind and you aren’t familiar with winterizing techniques, you’re more susceptible to the problem.
Pipes in unheated interior places such as basements and attics are also more vulnerable to ice formation.
Minimum Temperature to Keep the Pipes from Freezing
Researchers at the Building Research Council at the University of Illinois came up with an
interesting discovery.
They found that uninsulated pipes begin to freeze when the temperature drops to 20 F.
Nonetheless, this isn’t a set rule. Depending on your home insulation, location, and wind exposure, pipes may freeze at temperatures higher than 20 F. In fact, pipes mounted near openings that bring the cold air inside can freeze even if they’re in a heated place.
To keep the pipes from freezing or exploding, try to ensure they aren’t exposed to temperatures of 20 F or below.
Signs of Frozen Pipes
How can you determine if the pipes in your home are frozen? Here are a few tell-tale signs that signify ice formation inside the pipes:
- Too cold to touch. You can always touch the exposed pipes to determine if they’re frozen. Ice formation makes pipes stiffer and colder.
- Weird odor. A strange smell springing from faucets or drains indicates frozen pipes. Blocked pipes keep the odors from escaping into the sewage. Eventually, they find a way back to your home.
- No water. As long as the faucet aerators aren’t blocked, no water signifies blocked pipes. When you turn on the faucet and nothing except a minor trickle comes out, this indicates ice formation in the pipes.
Tips to Prevent Pipes from Freezing
Pipes can easily freeze during winter. While you cannot escape the cold weather, you can take preventive measures to keep that from happening. Here’s how:
Keep Garage Closed
If you’re not using the garage, keep it closed. This is crucial for the supply lines that run through your garage.
Garages feature smooth concrete and little insulation, which keeps the room cold. Keeping the garage door open will further lower the temperature, risking freezing pipes.
Insulate the Pipes
Installing pipe insulation can be of great help. The relatively small investment can pay off quickly and keep you from repairing costs for pipe bursts. Pay close attention to pipes in unheated spaces of your home, including the garage, basement, and attic.
The most popular pipe insulation compromises foam, fiberglass, or polyethylene. If a cold spell is headed your way and you cannot leave your home, wrapping the pipes with a newspaper or duct tape can provide a temporary solution.
Let Faucets Drip
Another way to keep the pipes from freezing is to let the faucets drip. You do not need to open faucets throughout your entire home. Consider opening the ones fed by exposed pipes.
This helps maintain the temperature because running water has more internal energy than standing. The constant movement creates friction and produces just enough heat to keep the water from ice formation.
Seal the Cracks
Inspect your property for holes and cracks that let the cold air in. Consider examining around door frames and windows. Holes letting in cable, television, and internet wires can be the culprit.
Use caulk to seal the cracks and keep the indoor temperature warm.
Open Cabinets
Opening your kitchen and bathroom cabinets helps circulate warm air around the plumbing. This prevents the pipes from freezing and keeps them from pressure buildups. Consider opening the cabinets before you doze off if you expect a relatively cold night.
Keep the Heating On
Avoid turning off the heating if you want to go out to work or college. Otherwise, you may run into frozen pipes upon returning. We recommend keeping the heat on at a minimum level.
That’s a Wrap!
Prevention is better than cure. The same goes for your plumbing system exposed to bitterly cold weather. You can always take steps to keep them from freezing rather than pay for costly repairs.
In case you still stumble upon an unpleasant discovery, consider thawing the pipes by using a hair dryer or wrapping exposed portions with an electric heating pad. If you fail to restore the water, it’s time to contact a professional plumber.
We use specialized equipment to melt the ice and insulate pipes to keep them from freezing in the future. Experienced plumbers can also help repair ruptured pipes - though we hope that doesn’t happen.