Understanding the Threat of Frozen Pipes
As the temperature drops, the risk of pipes freezing and bursting in your home skyrockets. Frozen pipes are one of the most common causes of property damage during frigid weather, often resulting in thousands of dollars in water damage. The pipes most vulnerable to freezing are those located in unheated interior spaces, such as basements, attics, and garages. Even pipes running through exterior walls or cabinets can fall victim to the cold.
When water freezes, it expands by about 9% in volume. This expansion creates tremendous pressure inside the pipes, often reaching up to 40,000 psi. At this level of pressure, even the strongest pipes are no match – they’ll break open at the weakest point, causing a major flood and water damage.
To avoid the heartbreak and hassle of dealing with burst pipes, it’s crucial to take proactive measures to prevent them from freezing in the first place. By following the expert tips and insights outlined in this comprehensive guide, you can safeguard your home and protect your plumbing system from the dangers of winter weather.
Preparing Pipes for Cold Weather
Before the onset of cold temperatures, it’s essential to take steps to insulate and protect your home’s plumbing. This will help maintain adequate warmth around the pipes and reduce the risk of freezing. Here are some key prevention strategies:
Insulate Exposed Pipes
“Pipe insulation can cost as little as 50 cents per linear foot at your local hardware store,” explains Sarah Dillingham, spokeswoman for the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS). “For a weekend’s worth of time, you can reduce the headache of time-consuming clean up and costly water damage repairs and avoid the heartbreak of losing cherished possessions.”
Wrap any exposed pipes in your home, especially those located in unheated spaces, with inexpensive pipe insulation. This simple and affordable measure can make a big difference in keeping your pipes from freezing.
Seal Cracks and Openings
Seal any cracks, gaps, or openings around windows, doors, and the foundation where cold air could enter and reach your pipes. Use caulk, weatherstripping, or expanding foam to close these potential entry points for frigid winter air.
Insulate Attics, Basements, and Crawl Spaces
Ensure these unheated areas of your home have adequate insulation to maintain higher temperatures and protect pipes from the cold. Adding insulation to these spaces will go a long way in preventing frozen pipes.
Keep Garage Doors Closed
If your home has water supply lines running through the garage, be sure to keep the garage doors closed as much as possible during cold snaps. This will help retain warmth around those vulnerable pipes.
Open Cabinet Doors
Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer household air to circulate around plumbing, especially if the sinks are on exterior walls.
Remember to remove any harmful chemicals or cleaning products from the cabinets if you have small children at home.
Keep the Heat On
Maintain a consistent thermostat setting, day and night, during cold weather. Resist the temptation to set the temperature back at night – this is not the time to try and save on your heating bill. If you’ll be away, leave the heat on and set to at least 55°F.
Let Faucets Drip
Allow a small trickle of water to run from faucets connected to exposed pipes. The running water helps prevent the pipes from freezing.
What to Do if Pipes Freeze
Despite your best efforts, you may still encounter a frozen pipe during an extreme cold spell. If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, you likely have a frozen pipe. Here’s what to do:
Locate the Frozen Area
Check all other faucets in your home, as one frozen pipe may indicate others are frozen as well. Identifying the specific location of the freeze is key to properly thawing the pipe.
Apply Targeted Heat
Use an electric heating pad, hair dryer, portable space heater, or towels soaked in hot water to gradually apply heat to the frozen section of the pipe. Avoid using open flames, as they can damage the pipes or start a fire.
“As tempting as it may be, do not use a blowtorch, a kerosene or propane heater, a charcoal stove, or any device with an open flame; the high heat can damage the pipes or even start a fire,” advises John Galeotafiore of Consumer Reports.
Allow Water to Flow
Turn on the faucet connected to the frozen pipe. As the ice plug begins to melt, the water will be able to flow through the pipe again.
Check for Cracks or Leaks
Once the pipe is thawed, inspect it carefully for any cracks or leaks that may have occurred due to the freezing. If you notice any damage, shut off the main water supply and call a licensed plumber immediately.
Prevent Further Freezing
If you’ve successfully thawed a frozen pipe, take additional steps to prevent it from freezing again, such as adding insulation or using a space heater in the affected area.
When to Call a Professional
If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen section is not accessible, or if you cannot successfully thaw the pipe, it’s best to call in a licensed plumber. Attempting to repair a frozen or burst pipe on your own can be extremely dangerous and lead to further damage.
A qualified plumber has the necessary tools, expertise, and experience to safely and effectively address frozen pipe issues. They can also provide valuable guidance on long-term solutions to prevent future freezing, such as installing additional insulation or upgrading your home’s heating system.
Conclusion
Protecting your home from the threat of frozen pipes is a critical part of winter preparation. By taking proactive measures to insulate and heat your plumbing system, you can significantly reduce the risk of costly water damage and headaches.
Should you encounter a frozen pipe, act quickly to thaw it using the proper techniques – but don’t hesitate to call in a professional if the situation seems beyond your abilities. With the right preventive steps and responsive troubleshooting, you can keep your home’s water flowing and your family safe all winter long.
For more information on plumbing maintenance, heating system upgrades, and home comfort solutions, be sure to visit DD Plumbing and Heating. Our team of experienced specialists is dedicated to helping homeowners like you keep their properties in top condition, no matter the season.
