Why Pipes Freeze
Water freezes at 32o Fahrenheit / 0o Celsius. When water freezes, it changes from a liquid to a solid and expands. This expansion causes pipes to break. When the water thaws behind an ice clog, it creates pressure, which compounds the problem of a compromised pipe.
Avoid Frozen Pipes
To avoid frozen pipes, we’re advised to keep water dripping or slowly running through the faucets. Flowing water is less likely to freeze than standing water, and helps melt ice blockages.
Many modern houses have PEX pipes, which expand when frozen. The PEX pipes are strained during each freeze and may eventually break. Use the same precautions as with hard pipe.
• Drain unneeded outdoor pipes and hoses. This is particularly important with sprinkler systems, garden hoses and above ground swimming pool lines. Trace amounts of water can expand without damage, but full lines can break plastic and metal pipes.
• Insulation helps. It’s helpful if water lines are well insulated rather than directly exposed to the air. Use specialized bib covers (see photo), foam pipe wraps, add extra insulation over attic pipes, and more to protect pipes. If nothing else is available, wrap dry towels or an inch of newspaper around exposed pipes.
• Keep garage doors closed to conserve heat if a water heater and pipes are in the garage. Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow heat to circulate near pipes.
• If the pipes are on an outside wall, point a blowing space heater toward the open cabinets – safely remove harmful cleaners and anything flammable first!
Most Likely to Freeze
Pipes that are exposed directly to cold air are most likely to freeze. Hose bibs (including spigots facing outward from the house) are the most likely house pipes to freeze. Many builders install lines to the bib inside the insulated structure. • Place an insulated cover over the entire spigot and bib to retain heat from the structure.
• Faucets on outside walls of the structure or running near non-insulated spaces such as garages and attics can freeze. For instance, a master bedroom over a garage will need to be monitored more closely and allow more water to flow than a kitchen sink in the middle of a warm house.
After Pipes Freeze
Water will not flow out of an open faucet and pipes may have frost on the outside.
• Ice in the line may act as a plug. More problems may follow.
• Shut off the main water line to the house. This may be a valve or gate at the street in older houses or a handle in the garage in newer houses.
• Open all faucets to relieve pressure inside the house.
• Don’t use open flames. Ensure nothing flammable or toxic is near any heat sources.
• When frozen pipes are visible, wrap a heating pad or towels soaked in hot water around the pipe. Otherwise, use a hair dryer or directed-air space heater to thaw the pipe. Start closest to the faucet and work your way down the pipe.
• Don’t tear out walls to get at pipes yet.
• Examine pipes for breaks. Ice may form on the outside near the break while it’s still frozen. As it thaws, water will slowly leak through breaks as it becomes liquid again.
• Apply heat until full water pressure is restored.
• When the pipe is completely frozen, but no break is found, contact a professional plumber. If plumbers arrive while it’s still frozen, they have specific pipe-thawing equipment to minimize damage. While the pipes may have survived, they may still be compromised and need to be replaced.
• If a break is located, contact a professional plumber. Also, see if there’s a local cutoff to the frozen section of pipe. If so, close the valve.
It’s Too Late
The thaw is worse than the freeze. Pipes may have swollen areas like a well-fed snake when it is frozen or has already burst. All the breaks will reveal themselves. If the main line is still on, water will spew everywhere with force as it warms.
• Turn off the main water line to the house.
• Immediately call a plumber.
• Take actions to minimize mold and mildew.
• Use a wet vacuum, mops or towels to soak up any water and discard the water in a tub or a bucket to dispose of it outside.
• Increase air circulation with fans to blow moist air from the wet area to help dry the area. Disinfect the area once dry.
• If there is a major problem immediately call your insurance agent and document with photos. Most household insurance policies do cover burst pipes and resulting water damage.
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