About Ask a Plumber

Plumber Connections

Preventing Pipes from Freezing

Last Updated on Saturday, 15 May 2010 08:16 Friday, 07 May 2010 17:00

Attention: open in a new window. PDFPrintE-mail

Articles - Water Supply Lines

Frozen_SpigotWater expands as it freezes. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on a pipe and when the pressure exceeds the pipe strength, it will burst and cause costly damage to your home. Pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines, and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas in basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, and kitchen cabinets. Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing such as your outside water spigot.You can prevent freezing of the water supply lines and pipes by following these recommendations:

  • Drain all the water from sprinkler supply lines by following manufacturer's or installer's directions.
  • Remove hoses from the outside spigot, drain, and store where the temperature does now fall below freezing.
  • Insulate both hot and cold water pipes in unheated areas. A hot water supply line can freeze just as easily as a cold water supply.
  • Consider installing specific products made to insulate water pipes like a “pipe sleeve” or installing UL-listed “heat tape”, “heat cable” or similar materials on exposed or susceptible to freezing water pipes.

Winterizing Your Home, Take Preventive Action When winterizing an uninhabited home or when you are away for long periods of time, open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate around the plumbing. If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home set to a temperature no lower than 55 degrees.

Thawing Frozen Pipes You may experience a frozen pipe if you turn on a faucet and only a trickle flow from the faucet. First, make sure your main water valve is turned on. Next, locate the frozen area of the water pipe. You will likely find frozen pipes in places where pipes run against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.

When you find a frozen section, apply heat to the frozen with an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater, or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Make sure electrical devices do not come into contact with water.

Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene, propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device. A blowtorch can make water in a frozen pipe boil and cause the pipe to explode. All open flames present a serious fire danger, as well as a severe risk of exposure to lethal carbon monoxide.

Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, or if the frozen area is not accessible, call a licensed plumber.

Next >