How To Prevent Pipes Freezing In Winter
Winters in Victoria, BC that reach freezing temperatures do happen. When temperatures drop below 0°C, pipes can freeze and burst causing damage. Water damage is a leading cause of home insurance claims with almost 45% of claims a result of water damage and burst pipes creating most of the water damage claims.
Homeowners should prepare for pipes freezing in winter to prevent damage from happening.
Read on to find out the best way to prevent frozen pipes in a cold snap.
Do Pipes Freeze in Winter?
A piping system is a network of pipes that guide water to flow into and out of your home. The freezing point for water is temperatures below 0°C. When water freezes, it expands. Therefore, water in pipes can expand in freezing temperatures. When this happens the freezing water can cause a pipe to burst. This can put the entire piping system at risk.
Wind chill also contributes to freezing pipes. Small cracks and holes can allow cold air to enter a space and accelerate a drop in temperature.
Given the right conditions, pipes can freeze relatively quickly, in 6-8 hours. This means they can freeze overnight.
Unheated spaces, such as garages, basements, and attics, can be especially vulnerable to freezing pipes.
Do Pipes Freeze In An Apartment Building?
Just like in houses, pipes can also freeze in apartment buildings. When this happens, it can affect more than one unit. Apartment dwellers don’t usually have access to the main water line to turn the water off if a pipe burst happens. Those living in condo or apartment buildings should take the same necessary steps to prevent pipes from freezing in their units as homeowners do.
How to Identify Frozen Pipes
Identifying frozen pipes can help you to remedy the situation and prevent damage to your home. In colder temperatures, look for these signs on your pipes:
- Frosty pipes – look for any areas of exposed pipe showing signs of frost. This could indicate a frozen or freezing pipe.
- No running water – when a faucet is turned on and no water is flowing or there is only a small trickle of water, this could be a sign of an ice blockage somewhere.
- Unusual smells – if you start to notice strange smells from faucets or drains, there may be a blockage. This could be ice or another blockage, but either way, it is something you will want to deal with before it becomes a bigger problem.
- Bulging pipes – when pipes bulge unnaturally, the cause can be water that has expanded putting pressure on the pipe.
- Gurgling sounds – if temperatures have dropped and you start to hear gurgling, banging, or other sounds from your pipes, investigate what is causing it. The noise can be an indication of ice travelling through the pipes.
How To Unfreeze A Frozen Pipe
If you identify frozen pipes, you can take steps to prevent them from bursting. If bursting has already occurred, it is best to consult a local Victoria plumber to handle next steps.
When pipes are frozen, but not ruptured, there are steps you can take to try to unfreeze them.
- First, turn on a faucet so that as the water melts it has a place to flow through. The running water will also help to melt the rest of the ice in the pipe.
- Next, apply heat to the frozen portion of the pipe. You can do this using a heating pad around that part of the pipe, an electric hair dryer, or a space heater. Never use a device with an open flame on pipes such as a blowtorch or kerosene or propane heater and don’t leave heat sources unattended.
- Keep applying heat until full water pressure is restored.
Check on all the faucets and pipes in your home. If one pipe has frozen there is a likely chance that other pipes and faucets in the home have also frozen. Take the same steps with each frozen pipe.
Can A Plumber Fix Frozen Pipes?
Yes, a plumber can help to fix frozen pipes. If you are unable to locate the frozen area of the pipe, it is inaccessible, or the pipe doesn’t thaw, contact a local licensed plumber.
How to Prevent Pipes from Freezing
The best course of action is to take steps to prevent pipes from freezing in the first place. Before temperatures start to drop, seal any cracks and crawl spaces. Apply pipe insulation if pipes aren’t already insulated. Consider installing heating tape to help prevent freezing pipes.
When temperatures have dropped, there are other precautions to take to prevent pipes from freezing. Follow these steps when you expect cold weather.
Keep the Thermostat Consistent
This is one of the best ways to prevent pipes from freezing. Often homeowners will lower the thermostat during the night. During colder winter months, it is best to keep the temperature consistent during the day and night to prevent an ice blockage from forming. It can be more expensive to deal with a burst pipe than the costs of maintaining the heating during the winter.
Let Faucets Drip
Letting a small amount of water run continuously through a faucet can prevent a pipe from freezing. First, identify the faucets that are fed by exposed pipes. Next, open these faucets a little to let water trickle out.
Because the movement of running water produces friction which creates heat, it is more difficult for the water to freeze. Leaving just a few faucets running can help prevent ice from forming in your plumbing system.
If both hot and cold water lines are exposed, leave a faucet open for both lines.
Open Doors in the House
Keeping interior doors open will help warm air circulate evenly throughout the home. Open doors to bathrooms, unused rooms, or storage areas.
Open Cabinet Doors
Periodically open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to keep warm air circulating around the plumbing system. If you’re expecting temperatures to get particularly cold at night, open cabinets before going to bed. This will help to keep pipes warm when temperatures are colder.
Keep Garage Doors Closed
Don’t let heat escape by leaving garage doors open. Garages typically have concrete which will keep the space cold. Keep garage doors closed as much as possible when it is cold.
Keep the Heat on When Away
If you’re planning on being away from your home during the winter, keep the heat on. Don’t lower your thermostat to less than 16 degrees Celsius if you’ll be away during the winter.
Frozen Pipe Solutions
If you suspect you have a frozen pipe or you have a pipe that has burst, our local team of licensed Victoria plumbers can address any issues with frozen pipes. Contact Thunderbird Plumbing Victoria for winter plumbing solutions or if you have an emergency plumbing situation. We are available 24/7 with licensed and experienced plumbing professionals. Contact our plumbing team at 250-514-4044 or book online.