Living in a cold climate during
winter can lead to several problems with homes. Roofs can start leaking from
snow and ice, windows and doors that are poorly insulated let in drafts and
water pipes can freeze. When water freezes, it expands. If it expands enough
inside of a pipe, it can burst the pipe and cause thousands of dollars worth of
damage to a home. So how can we prevent this? Or, how do we thaw the pipe once
it’s frozen to avoid bursting? Read on for some tips!
When houses in northern climates are
built, often times builders put the pipes within the walls of the home, thus
protecting them within the insulation. If your home has this, it doesn't mean
that you’re protected from your pipes freezing. We all know that holes in the
foundation or improper insulation can occur. It’s recommended that you
additionally insulated your water pipes (weatherization can help
with this). Wind
chill can accelerate the process of freezing water in pipes. Those that are
exposed to the elements the most (think pool intake, hose lines, sprinkler
lines, etc.) are those most likely to freeze frequently. Under insulated places
(like under kitchen cabinets) are the next most likely to freeze.
Before the
onset of cold weather, prevent freezing of these water supply lines and pipes
by following these recommendations:
- · Drain water from swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines following manufacturer or installer’s directions. Do not put antifreeze in these lines unless directed. Antifreeze is environmentally harmful, and is dangerous to humans, pets, wildlife, and landscaping.
- · Remove, drain, and store hoses used outdoors. Close inside valves supplying outdoor hose bibs. Open the outside hose bibs to allow water to drain. Keep the outside valve open so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing the pipe to break.
- · Check around the home for other areas where water supply lines are located in unheated areas. Look in the basement, crawl space, attic, garage, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Both hot and cold water pipes in these areas should be insulated.
- · 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 water pipes. Newspaper can provide some degree of insulation and protection to exposed pipes – even ¼” of newspaper can provide significant protection in areas that usually do not have frequent or prolonged temperatures below freezing. (Courtesy of the Red Cross website)
During the extreme cold weather, it is important to take some
preventative measures.
- · Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
- · Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
- · When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.
- · Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
- · If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F. (Courtesy of the Red Cross website)
If you still experience frozen pipes, you will need to thaw them before a
bigger problem occurs.
- · If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
- · Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.
- · Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.
- · Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you cannot thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
- · Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too. (Courtesy of the Red Cross website)
Another tip
for thawing is to wrap a heavy towel securely around the pipe, place a bucket
underneath and then pour hot or boiling water over the towel. You can use a
propane torch, but it is not recommended as improper use can cause a fire or melt
the pipes.
If you do have a pipe burst or you
cannot get the ice to melt, call a plumber right away. They will be able to
help you and can also make specific recommendations to you on how to prevent
this situation from happening in the future.
