The Danger of Frozen Pipes In the Winter

When the temperature drops below zero degrees outside in winter, there are higher chances of the plumbing pipes freezing. That’s why burst pipes are the biggest threat homeowners face in winter, which causes severe damage to the property. If you don't want to waste thousands of dollars repairing property and pipes, read the following guide about frozen pipes and early detection. Also, you’ll learn about safety tips to prevent the pipes from freezing. Damages caused by freezing pipes cost around $15 to $20 billion. One in every 50 insured homes claims such damages.

Plumbing Repair on Frozen Pipes

The water supply lines freeze once the outdoor temperature falls below 20F degrees for more than six consecutive hours. The water expands its volume by 9 percent as it freezes; thus increasing pressure and leading to burst pipes. Since the outdoor water pipes are exposed to low temperatures, they are more likely to freeze than the lines running indoors. Besides the main water supply and sewage pipes, the following pipes are prone to freezing in winter:

Water sprinkler lines and swimming pool supply line.

Water plumbing supply lines run in unheated and exposed areas, such as garages and basements.

Un-insulated pipes running against external walls.

If it’s been snowing for a while, you should keep a close eye on the signs of frozen pipes, such as:

Limited or dripping water - When you open the faucet, there is limited water flow.

Gurgling sound - If you hear a gurgling or banging sound as you open the faucet, there are some frozen sections in the main water supply line.

Only portions of the water supply line can be frozen, or the entire exposed pipe. Some pipes are more susceptible to bursting. For instance, copper pipe is most susceptible to ruptures when it freezes. Conversely, the PVC, plastic, and PEX pipes freeze; however, they don’t always burst. Some homeowners tend to wait and watch until the pipes unfreeze. However, this has a downside, as any water trapped inside the pipe can enhance the pressure leading to a pipe burst. Hence, it’s best to take a proactive approach to prevent property and water supply line damage and call professionals to unfreeze the pipes.

How Can You Unfreeze Your Pipes?

Frozen pipes are inevitable in regions with consistently negative temperatures. Follow these steps to unfreeze the pipes:

You can turn on all the faucets to encourage the water to start unfreezing.

Instead of pouring hot water on the pipes, which could lead to cracks, it’s best to pour warm, salted water on the frozen pipes. This method is efficient if there isn’t water flowing inside the pipe.

You can use a hair dryer, infrared lamp, or a heater to melt the ice on the frozen water pipes. Similarly, you can wrap the heating pads and hot towels around the pipe.

If you live in an area that receives heavy snowfall, you should invest in a thaw machine to unfreeze pipes. It’s a useful machine that sends high-current and low-voltage electricity in pipes to thaw the ice. One of the most significant advantages of investing in a thaw machine is its efficiency in unfreezing up to 175 feet long iron and copper lines.

Don’t use an open flame, such as a blowtorch or kerosene heater, to unfreeze the pipe, as it can lead to a serious safety hazard.

Besides the thaw machine, the rest of the methods to unfreeze pipes are only effective if you detect the frozen pipe section. However, if the entire outdoor water supply line is frozen, it’s best to call professional plumbing services to restore the water supply in your home.

Tips to Prevent Pipes from Freezing

Prevention is better than cure; hence, it's best to prevent the pipes from freezing in winter. If you don’t want a costly frozen pipe plumbing repair, it’s best to follow these tips:

Keep the garage closed - If the water lines running in the garage aren’t insulated, you should keep the garage door shut at all costs.

Leave the faucets dripping - Instead of running the faucet at full volume, you should let water drip to prevent the pipes from freezing.

Maintain a consistent thermostat - If you leave home for the holidays, you should maintain a warm temperature indoors of at least 55 degrees.

Cracks sealing - Seal cracks or holes that are letting cold air enter your home.

Shut off outdoor faucets - Ideally, you must drain all the outdoor faucets and disconnect the lawn hose to prevent water from freezing in these pipes.

Final Thoughts

Frozen pipes result from prolonged freezing temperatures for up to six to eight hours. Pipes are at high risk of bursting when frozen. Instead of waiting, call the professional Plumbing Services Plano to restore the water supply in your home by unfreezing the supply pipe. If you live in an area with severe temperatures, you should winterize the home to prevent the water pipes from freezing.