Frozen pipes are a common and frustrating problem during cold weather. When temperatures plummet, the water inside pipes can freeze, expanding and potentially causing the pipes to burst. This can lead to significant water damage, costly repairs, and even mold growth.
At Just Better Home Services, we understand the frustration of dealing with frozen pipes. These unexpected plumbing issues can cause significant disruption and potential water damage. In this article, we'll explore the common causes of frozen pipes, effective prevention measures, and safe thawing techniques to help you navigate these winter plumbing challenges.
In This Article:
What Causes Frozen Pipes?
1. Extreme Cold
When temperatures plummet below freezing, typically around 20 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, the water inside exposed pipes can begin to freeze. As water transitions to ice, it expands significantly. This expansion exerts immense pressure on the pipe walls, potentially causing them to crack or even burst. The severity of the damage depends on factors like the duration of freezing temperatures, the type of pipe material, and the amount of water trapped within the pipe. Pipes located against exterior walls or outdoors are especially susceptible to freezing.
2. Exposed Pipes and Poor Insulation
Pipes located in unheated areas like attics, crawl spaces, and garages are at risk for freezing. For exposed pipes, the most crucial preventative measure is adequate insulation. Taking measures to create a barrier to help maintain a warmer temperature around the pipes reduces the risk of freezing. Consider using heat tape or self-regulating heating cables for extra protection in extremely cold climates.
3. Lack of Water Flow
Stagnant water within pipes is more susceptible to freezing due to the lack of movement. Flowing water has a slight warming effect as it flows through the pipes. However, when water is stationary, it loses this heat more readily, making it more vulnerable to freezing temperatures. This is particularly true in pipes located in uninsulated areas or during periods of prolonged cold weather.
How to Prevent Frozen Pipes.
Indoor Pipes
1. Insulation is Key
To effectively insulate exposed pipes, utilize specifically designed pipe sleeves or foam insulation. These materials are readily available at most hardware stores and are designed to fit snugly around various pipe sizes. By insulating exposed pipes, you create a thermal barrier that helps prevent heat loss from hot water pipes and protects cold water pipes from freezing during frigid temperatures.
2. Keep the Heat On
Maintain a consistent indoor temperature. Even when you're away you should keep your home at 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Consider installing a programmable thermostat to optimize your home's energy efficiency and enhance your comfort. These intelligent devices allow you to schedule temperature adjustments based on your daily routine, automatically lowering the temperature when you're away or asleep and increasing it before you return. This not only helps reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills but also ensures your home is always comfortable when you need it to be.
3. Open Cabinet Doors
Opening cabinet doors under sinks allows warmer air from the rest of the house to circulate around the pipes. This helps maintain a slightly warmer temperature for the pipes, reducing the risk of them freezing.
4. Let the Faucet Drip
Allowing your at-risk faucets to drip will help with:
Constant Movement: Even a slow drip keeps water moving through the pipes. Moving water is less likely to freeze than stagnant water. This is because moving water is constantly circulating, which helps to maintain a slightly warmer temperature within the pipe.
Pressure Relief: A slow drip helps to relieve pressure that can build up within the pipes as water freezes and expands. This reduced pressure can help prevent pipes from bursting.
Outdoor Pipes
1. Drain Swimming Pool and Sprinkler Lines
If applicable, drain your swimming pool and sprinkler system lines according to the manufacturer's or installer's instructions. Never add antifreeze to these lines unless specifically directed to do so by the manufacturer. Antifreeze is toxic to humans, pets, wildlife, and the environment.
2. Remove, Drain, and Store Hoses
Leaving a garden hose connected to an outdoor faucet during freezing weather can lead to serious problems. When temperatures drop below freezing, water inside the hose expands as it freezes. This expansion creates significant pressure within the hose, which can force the ice back into the pipes leading to the faucet. This buildup of ice can cause the pipes to crack or burst, resulting in water damage, costly repairs, and potential mold growth.
3. Close Inside Valves
Locate the inside valves that supply water to your outdoor hose bibs. Shut off these valves to prevent water from entering the outdoor lines.
4. Open Outside Hose Bibs
After shutting off the inside valves, open the outdoor hose bibs to allow any remaining water to drain out. Keep the outdoor hose bibs open throughout the winter. This allows any remaining water to expand without causing the pipes to break.
My Pipes Froze, What Can Be Done?
When frozen, you may notice your pipes provide no water, very low water pressure, or whistling sounds. This can cause multiple problems, and it’s important to unfreeze your pipes before they burst from expanding water. If you suspect your pipes are frozen, here are some things you can do:
1. Locate the Freeze
To locate the frozen section of a pipe, gently touch the pipes; a frozen section will feel significantly colder and may have frost or condensation. Listen for gurgling noises at the faucet, which could indicate a partial blockage. If only a few faucets are affected, trace the water supply line to pinpoint the freeze location.
2. Apply Heat Gradually
Hair Dryer: Gently direct warm air towards the frozen area.
Heat Wrap: Wrap the pipe with an electric heating pad or heat tape.
Hot Water Bottles or Towels: Apply warm compresses to the frozen section.
Space Heater: Keeping the heater away from water sources, allow it to warm the area.
3. Remember, Safety First
Never use open flames: Avoid torches, candles, or kerosene heaters, as they pose a significant fire risk and can damage the pipes.
Use caution with electrical devices: Ensure any electrical devices used for thawing, such as hair dryers or heat tape, are properly grounded and kept away from water sources.
Monitor the thawing process: Continuously monitor the thawing process to prevent overheating and potential pipe damage.
Ventilate the area: If using a heat source that produces fumes, ensure adequate ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.
If you suspect a burst pipe, shut off the main water supply immediately and call a professional.
Wait It Out:
In some cases of frozen pipes, there is often nothing you can do but wait for it to thaw. There is very little plumbers can do to help, but wait for your pipes to thaw and then inspect for leaks. If you pipes freeze, the best thing you can do is identify why they froze and resolve that issue for next time to avoid freezing in the first place.
Signs of a Burst Pipe.
Burst pipes can cause significant damage, including flooding, mold growth, structural issues, and electrical hazards. If you know your pipes have frozen, you should ensure you are confident there are no leaks before you go back to life as normal. Professional plumbers are experienced in identifying leaks and can provide a plumbing inspection after a freeze to ensure your system is good to go.
1: Cracks & Splits:
A burst pipe may have visible cracks or splits in the pipe itself. If you know your pipes have frozen, you should do an inspection of any exposed piping to look for hairline cracks and leaks. After the pipe is thawed, look for wet spots, seeping water, and listen for sounds of dripping. If you find a cracked pipe or burst pipe, turn off your water immediately and call a plumber.
2: Water Damage:
If you don't catch a crack in a pipe and it continues to leak, it can lead to water damage and mold. You might notice signs of water damage such as water stains, discoloration, or visible pooling of water. Mold growth or musty smells may also indicate an unresolved water issue.
3: Sputtering Faucets:
If you turn on a faucet after water has been shut off and then restored, you may noticed a sputtering while all of the air is expelled from the system. If you notice a faucet is continuing to sputter, or if your water was never turned off, this could indicate air is entering pipes where it should not. This could be a sign of a large leak in the piping that leads to that faucet. If you are unable to identify the issue and the faucet keeps sputtering, its time to call a plumber!
4: Water Pump Cycling When No Water Is Running:
Your well pump draws water from your well and the pressure tank maintains water pressure so water is ready when you need it. If you are not using water, both of these systems should remain at rest. However, if your water pump or pressure tank is activating when you are not using water, this could mean a leak! This means your system is expelling water somewhere that you are not aware of.
5: Increased Water Bills:
An increased water bill can be a sign of a burst pipe, but it would need to be leaking pretty substantially for it to noticeably increase your bill. This may happen if an underground water pipe bursts. If you noticed an unexpected increase in your bill, you may wish to investigate the possibility of a burst pipe. Ask other neighbors if they are experiencing the same issue, this can help you identify if it is an issue with the main water supply or the line going to your house.
How We Can Help:
At Just Better Home Services, we understand the frustration of dealing with plumbing problems, especially during the coldest months. Our team of experienced and certified technicians are equipped to diagnose and repair a wide range of plumbing issues, including detecting leaks and repairing damaged pipes.
If you suspect or know you have burst pipes, we can help you get your plumbing system back in working order quickly and efficiently, minimizing the disruption to your daily life.
Contact us today to schedule a service appointment and experience the Just Better Home Services difference!
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