Currently, we are in a vicious cold snap, with temperatures dropping into the teens and even into the single digits! Brrr!! Because they are generally hidden from our view, it's easy to forget about the plumbing in our home until something goes wrong. Clogged toilets and sinks are easy to fix, but one area of your plumbing you never want to wait "until" is a frozen pipe. Dangerously low temperatures can cause the pipes in your home to freeze and, as you'll read below, serious damage to your home and belongings (and wallet!) can occur. Take a moment to read all about frozen pipes, what you can do to protect against them, and what to do if it's too late. You'll be glad you did!

The Dangers of a Frozen Pipe

Frozen pipes that happen when the temperature dips below freezing can cause major damage to your home. At the least, you can expect the inconvenience of a disrupted water supply. Much worse, you can experience flooding, water damage to walls/floors/belongings, repair or replacement of damaged pipes, structural damage, and possible mold infestation, all resulting in potentially thousands of dollars in repairs.

How/Why Do Pipes Freeze?

When exposed to temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended period of time, pipes can freeze. As the water inside freezes, it expands and puts pressure on the pipe, potentially causing cracks. When the ice thaws, these cracks can turn into burst pipes, leading to flooding in your home. 

Preventing Pipes from Freezing

Keep a Consistent Indoor Temperature

• THIS step is one of the easiest steps, and maybe the most important: Keep your home’s temperature consistent, day and night, to avoid pressure fluctuations and prevent pipes from straining and freezing. Temperature consistency is especially an issue in old houses where there is poor insulation and there may be original plumbing/pipes in areas where they shouldn’t be. 
• SET the thermostat to at least 60 degrees.
• KEEP doors inside your home open to maintain consistent temperatures throughout the house.
• SIMPLE acts such as setting ceiling fans to rotate clockwise to blow heat into a cold room can help, and being mindful to keep your garage door closed can help keep drafts out, too.
• YOU can use a space heater in areas prone to freezing, as it can provide extra warmth to help prevent pipe(s) from freezing, but always use space heaters with caution, as they can be a fire hazard. Never leave a space heater unattended and keep flammable materials away from the unit at all times.

Insulate Vulnerable Pipes

First, let’s identify the pipes that are most vulnerable to freezing:

• PIPES exposed to "severe cold" such as outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines, and those pipes running against exterior walls with little or no insulation.
• INSIDE your home, water supply pipes in unheated areas, where temperatures are often the lowest (basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, cabinets, etc.)

Wrapping pipes does not prevent freezing, but it does give you more time by making the freezing process take longer. Keeping the especially vulnerable pipes mentioned above in mind, you can be proactive and reduce the risk of a frozen pipe bursting, by insulating these pipes that are located in unheated areas or along outside walls. You can use foam pipe insulation sleeves, which are inexpensive and easy to install. Be sure to ensure proper insulation around common freeze points such as elbows and

joints. For even more protection, insulate the area the pipes are in to help maintain a higher temperature around the pipes.

Additional Steps to Take to Protect Outdoor Plumbing

Especially before the temperature drops below 32 degrees, you can protect these exterior plumbing fixtures, particularly susceptible to freezing, by taking the following steps to safeguard them:

• DISCONNECT and drain garden hoses before winter to prevent water buildup and freezing.
• OPEN outdoor water spigots attached to homes to allow water to drain out, close and then cover. 
• IF YOU have a pool and/or sprinklers, drain it/them before winter arrives. 

Allow Faucets to Drip

Easy peasy. It’s simple. A slow, steady water trickle from faucets can prevent pipes from freezing, keeping water moving and reducing pressure buildup from within the pipes. When temps drop below 32 degrees, turn on at least one indoor faucet, in particular a faucet on an exterior wall or in an unheated area, to a slow drip.  

Open Cabinet Doors

When temps are getting into the teens, another easy thing you can do to allow more heat to get to exposed pipes and help prevent freezing, is to open your kitchen, pantry, and bathroom cabinet doors. It’s as simple as that. Take the extra step to remove items from underneath these areas to improve air circulation and allow heat to reach the plumbing efficiently. 

Seal Cracks and Openings

Maintaining your home’s overall insulation is a key part of preventing frozen pipes.  If your pipes are freezing it usually means cold air is getting into the house. Sealing out the cold will help the pipes and the house stay warm. Start by preventing drafts that can lower temperatures around plumbing, by sealing entry points such as cracks in walls or floors, especially those near any pipes. You can seal these cracks by using expanding foam or caulk. Some areas you may not think to look at, but which often have gaps that allow cold air to come in, include areas where utility services enter the home, as well as the spaces around outdoor faucets and cable TV wire entry points. 

Traveling in Winter?

Be sure to turn off your water when going away on vacation. Should your heat fail and your pipes freeze, they may be damaged but it will keep the water from leaking for potentially days before the problem is found. 

Even when you’re away, set the thermostat to at least 60 degrees. A Smart Thermostat can monitor and control your home’s temperature remotely if you’re traveling.  

Long-Term Protection for Your Pipes

Consider investing more time and money into protecting your home from freezing pipes over the long term by doing things such as:

• INSULATION of a crawl space.
• HAVING pipes rerouted away from vulnerable areas inside your home to lessen their exposure to cold air.
• REPLACING your standard exterior faucets with frost-proof models.
• REPLACING and upgrading your pipes, especially when doing renovations, with plumbing materials that are more resistant to freezing such as PEX piping. 

Signs of a Frozen Pipe

• REDUCED water flow, a trickle, or no water at all when you turn on a faucet, are usually the first signs that there is an ice blockage forming in your pipes. 
• FROST on exposed pipes.
• STRANGE smells coming from your drains or faucets, a sign of possible trapped waste and gases.

Thawing a Frozen Pipe

If you can access the frozen pipe:

• OPEN the faucet to allow water to flow as the pipe thaws, gradually releasing pressure. 
• APPLY heat to the frozen section using a hair dryer.  As ice inside the pipe melts, the flow will increase.  
• NEVER use an open flame to thaw pipes! Doing so can cause more damage or even start a fire.

IMPORTANT: If you can’t locate or access the frozen pipe, or if your efforts to thaw it are unsuccessful, call a licensed plumber. They have specialized equipment that can safely thaw frozen pipes without causing damage.

What to Do if a Pipe Has Already Burst

To lessen any damage, immediately do the following:

1. PREVENT further flooding by shutting off the main water valve to stop the flow of water.
2. IF IT IS SAFE to get to the electrical panel, turn off the electricity to the affected area. Especially in situations like this, having a properly labeled electrical panel really helps. Just remember that in ALL situations, safety first. If you are concerned about safety, call a professional first.
3. REMOVE irreplaceable items from the area to prevent water damage.
4. CALL A plumber immediately for an emergency repair.

Now that you know a little more about what cold temperatures can do to the pipes in your home, why not take the time now to ensure your home is protected against it? There is a lot that can be done, and HRC is happy to help you take care of some or all of it. Just give us a call!

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