How to Fix Your Frozen Pipes, According to Experts
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As the winter months quickly approach, there are many household chores to get done in order to protect your home from the cold weather. You have you clean and cover your pool, order a new snowblower, and even decide what you're going to do with your old Christmas tree (we vote to leave it up just a little while longer). But maybe the most important task when winterizing your home is to protect your pipes and plumbing system from freezing over as the temperatures continue to drop. While it sounds like a daunting task, we've enlisted the help of Build Fanatic owner Edward Reay as well as Jay Sanders, licensed contractor and owner of Castle Dream Construction, to walk us through everything we need to know about how to keep your pipes from freezing this winter. Don't worry, we're also covering what to do if the worst does happen.
Why Do Pipes Freeze?
Even if you haven't run your faucet in days, there's still a small amount of sitting water in your pipes. Water expands when it's frozen, which poses a danger to your pipes (which don't fluctuate in size). When temperatures drop below 55 degrees, there's a risk of freezing. And if the water does freeze, your pipes could crack, warp, or even burst as the water stretches and then ultimately thaws, leaving holes in your plumbing system. According to Sanders, pipes near exterior walls or your home's foundation, exposed pipes, or pipes in rarely used rooms are the most susceptible to freezing.
Pipes near exterior walls or foundation: These are most susceptible to freezing.
Exposed pipes in crawl spaces or attics: Lack of insulation increases their vulnerability.
Pipes in rarely used rooms like guest bedrooms: Reduced air circulation can lead to freezing.
How to Prepare Pipes for Freezing Temperatures
Luckily, there are many steps you can take throughout the fall and even early winter to protect your pipes from the freezing temps.
Insulate
Pipes are often located along exterior walls or in unheated areas, typically attics, basements, or crawl spaces. We recommend purchasing foam pipe insulation sleeves, they're relatively inexpensive and can help protect pipes of all sizes. Plus, they're very easy to install by yourself. If your area is particularly prone to freezing, opt for heated tape or cables to wrap around your pipes.
Properly Winterize Your Gardening System
When shutting down your sprinklers for the season, go one step further and be sure to disconnect and drain your garden hoses as well. And if there are cut-off valves on outdoor faucets, make sure they are closed and drained. If you're still nervous about it, you can add a faucet cover for extra security.
Seal Any Openings
Examine where your pipes are kept and use expanding foam, spackle, or caulk in order to seal cracks in the floors, walls, and even ceilings that might let in any excess cold air.
Tips for Preventing Pipes from Freezing
As you regularly monitor the weather to know what to wear, take note of nights where extreme temperatures are expected—typically around 20 degrees or below—and use these steps to protect your pipes and take precautions.
Leave a Faucet On
The best way to prevent frozen pipes is to leave a steady trickle (not a full blast) running in at least one of your faucets overnight. The constant stream of running water will prevent the pipes from freezing because of the steady movement.
Leave Cabinet Doors Open
While it may feel nonsensical, leaving cabinet and closet doors open allows the heated air from the rest of your home's interior to get as close to the pipes within your walls as possible.
Maintain a Steady Temperature
If you prefer to keep your house at an Arctic-like temperature while you sleep, take a break for one night. Drastically dropping the temperature in your home between the night and day can leave your pipes more prone to freezing than they would be if you leave your heat on (anywhere over 55 degrees) throughout the night.
How to Protect Your Pipes from Freezing If You Have Travel Plans
If you're going away this winter and don't want to come back to a plumbing disaster, the best thing to do is to leave your heat on while you're gone. While you may be worried by an exorbitant gas or electric bill, even keeping the heat on low is enough to protect your pipes. "Consider installing smart or programmable thermostats, which allow for the automatic regulation of temperatures," Reay says. "This ensures your pipes are protected without the need for manual adjustments or you having to be there."
Frozen Pipes FAQs
What do I do if I think my pipes are frozen?
If your water doesn’t run or you only get a trickle when you turn it on, a pipe is likely frozen. It’s wise to call the professionals. A licensed plumber can quickly get your pipes back in working order prior to them potentially bursting.
Can I use heat to thaw my pipes?
Yes! Just be mindful of the kind of heat you use. If your pipes are exposed, we recommend using a hair dryer, heating pad, or space heater to help thaw your pipes and get water moving again. (Note: Never leave the latter two methods unsupervised.) Be careful to steer clear of any flammable materials and avoid standing in water in the section where there is a blockage. Sanders recommends a few DIY solutions to try prior to calling in the pros.
Use a hairdryer: Set it on low heat and carefully blow warm air on the frozen section of the pipe.
Wrap the pipe with a hot towel: Soak it in hot water and wrap it around the frozen section.
Apply a salt solution: Mix salt with warm water and apply it to the frozen area. Salt lowers the freezing point of water, helping to thaw the ice.
What do I do if a pipe bursts?
If a pipe has burst, immediately turn off your main water shut-off valve and call a plumber. This will keep water from causing unnecessary damages in your home where the pipe has burst while you wait for a plumber to arrive.
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