If your home is like most, your pipes are hidden behind walls, in crawl spaces or in the attic. So when a pipe breaks due to freezing, you may not know where the problem is. And that can make finding and fixing a frozen pipe difficult and expensive.
However, some signs can help you locate a frozen pipe. And once you find it, there are steps you can take to unfreeze the pipe and get your water flowing again.
What causes frozen pipes?
The main cause of frozen pipes is cold temperatures. When water freezes, it expands and puts pressure on what it contains. Enough pressure can cause the pipe to burst, leaving you with an expensive repair bill and extensive damage to your home.
Another cause of frozen pipes is a sudden drop in water pressure. This can happen when the main water line breaks or when too much water is used at once, causing the water pressure to drop. When this happens, it can cause the water in the pipes to freeze faster.
Frozen pipes are most common in homes that have inadequate insulation. It can be for the following reasons:
- The new house and the builder did not properly insulate the plumbing during construction.
- The house is older and the insulation has degraded over time, leaving gaps that allow cold air to enter and freeze the pipes.
Pipes susceptible to freezing include:
- Outside your home, such as a water line leading to an outdoor faucet.
- In crawl spaces or basements with little or no insulation.
- Against exterior walls that receive little sunlight and therefore remain cooler than other areas of your home.
Signs of a frozen pipe
The first step in finding a frozen pipe is to look for signs of frost. Here are some common signs that a pipe has frozen:
- Water pressure drops suddenly or water flow slows to a trickle.
- Strange noises coming from the pipes, such as gurgling, banging or popping.
- Frost on exposed pipes or on the floor near baseboards
- A musty smell comes from the faucet
If you suspect a pipe has frozen but aren’t sure, try turning on the faucet. The pipe is probably frozen if no water comes out or only a small trickle.
How to find frozen pipe
Every year, frozen pipes cause millions of dollars in water damage repairs.
The first step in preventing frozen pipes is knowing where they are located. The second step is to take steps to prevent them from freezing.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to find a frozen pipe and safely thaw it.
Step 1: Locate the frozen pipe
The first step is to find the frozen pipe. This can be a bit tricky if you don’t know where all the pipes are.
If you have an outdoor faucet that isn’t working, the pipe that feeds it is frozen. Follow the water line from the faucet back to where it enters your home. This is where the frozen pipe is likely located.
If you don’t have an outdoor faucet, or if all the faucets are working, but you suspect there’s a frozen pipe somewhere, start by checking all the exposed pipes in your home. These are the pipes that run along the exterior walls of your home.
The frozen pipe is probably hidden behind a wall if you can’t find it. For this, you will need to turn off the main water valve of the house. This is usually located where the water line enters your home.
Once you have found the main shutoff valve, close it as well turn on all the faucets in your house. This will help you determine which pipes are frozen and which are still working.
All the pipes in your house are frozen if there is no water coming from the faucets. If a little water comes out of the faucets, then there is at least one pipe that is not frozen.
Step 2: Thaw the frozen pipe
Once you’ve located the frozen water pipe, it’s time to unfreeze it. You can do this with a hair dryer or by wrapping it with a heating pad, towel or electric blanket.
However, an open flame can cause the pipe to burst.
If you’re using a hair dryer, start pointing it at the joint where the pipe meets the faucet. Next, walk down the pipe, moving the hair dryer back and forth as you go.
If using an electric heating pad or electric blanket, wrap it around the pipe and plug it in. Then wait for the ice to melt. It usually takes 30 minutes to an hour for the ice to melt.
Step 3: Fix the frozen pipe
Once the ice has melted, you need to fix the problem that caused the pipe to freeze. The pipe froze because it wasn’t properly insulated, so you’ll need to add more insulation. You can do this with pipe insulation from your local hardware store.
If the reason the pipe froze was because of a leak, then you need to fix the leak and insulate the pipe. You may need to call a plumber for this.
Finally, if the pipe freezes due to a power outage, you’ll have to wait for the power to come back on. After that happens, open the faucets to see if they work. If not, follow steps 2 and 3 again.
Step 4: Turn the water back on
Turn the water back on after solving the problem.
Start by turning on your home’s main shutoff valve. Then, turn on each individual faucet in your home until the water starts flowing again.
If you have a frozen pipe, don’t panic! Just follow these steps and you will have the problem solved quickly.
How to prevent future problems
Homeowners can take several steps to prevent pipes from freezing, such as:
1. Install the insulation
Install insulation around any exposed pipes – this includes both hot and cold water pipes and drain pipes. Exposed drain pipes are most likely to freeze during a cold snap, so take steps to protect them now.
Be sure to measure the circumference of the pipe before purchasing the insulation so it fits correctly.
You can purchase foam pipe insulation at most hardware stores; simply cut it to size and slide it over the pipe.
2. Keep your house warm
During a cold spell, it’s important to keep your home heated to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit, even if you’re away for an extended period of time. This will help protect your pipes from freezing.
If you’re going to be gone for more than a day or two, have someone check on your house periodically make sure the heat is still on and that there are no frozen pipes.
Set the thermostat at the same temperature throughout the day. You may pay more for heating if you don’t use lower temperatures at night, but you can avoid expensive repairs caused by frozen and broken water pipes.
3. Let the faucets drip
When outside temperatures drop below freezing, let your faucets drip gently. Running water is less likely to freeze than still water, so this will help reduce the risk of pipes freezing. Just open the faucets slightly, releasing a small stream of water.
4. Seal leaks and cracks
Another way to prevent pipes from freezing is to seal any cracks or leaks around them. Even a small crack can let in enough cold air to cause the pipe to freeze. Inspect your pipes carefully, inside and outside the house, for cracks or leaks.
If you find any, seal them with caulking or heat tape.
5. Keep cupboard doors open
Keep the doors open during a cold snap if you have pipes in your kitchen or bathroom cabinets. This will allow warm air to circulate in the pipes and prevent them from freezing.
Disconnect garden hoses and, if possible, use an indoor shutoff valve to shut off water at outdoor faucets. Be sure to drain the remaining water from the faucet and hose.
6. Use space heaters
If you are worried about frozen pipes, you can use heaters to keep them warm. Be sure to place the heater on a flat surface. You should also unplug the space heater when you are not at home to avoid the risk of fire.
7. Remember the location of the main water shut-off valve
Know the main water shutoff valve and how to close it. In the event of a major spill, you’ll want to be able to turn off the water to quickly minimize flooding and damage.
8. Professional winter plumbing system
If you live in an area that experiences particularly cold winters, consider it having your sanitary system professionally winterized before the first frost hits. This involves adding an antifreeze solution to all the plumbing fixtures in your home and turning off the water supply to anything outside. taps.
Following these tips should help you avoid frozen pipes in the future. But if you find yourself with a frozen pipe, don’t hesitate to call a professional plumber for assistance.
Final thoughts
If you have frozen pipes, it’s important to take action quickly to prevent damage to your home. Use the tips and tricks in this article to help you find a frozen pipe so you can unfreeze it and get your water flowing again.
And remember, always call a professional for assistance if you’re unsure or have questions.
