How to Prevent, Treat Frozen Pipes

The cold temperatures of this winter are coming, so it’s a good idea to make sure your pipes at home are ready in case there’s a deep freeze that threatens to make them burst.

Here’s a quick graphic about how to prepare and what to do if your pipes freeze. There are more tips below the graphic.

frozen pipes graphic

These tips are courtesy of the American Red Cross.

BEFORE IT’S TOO COLD

  • Drain water from swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines following manufacturer’s 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.

DURING COLD WEATHER

  • 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 degrees.

THAWING FROZEN PIPES

  • 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 can not 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.

4 thoughts on “How to Prevent, Treat Frozen Pipes”

  1. I appreciate that you explained you should set the temperature above 55 degrees when you’re away. Since it’s our first winter in our new home, I have noticed some pipes in the basement that are exposed. I’ll have to call a professional to look at it and make sure it doesn’t freeze.

  2. Thanks for sharing such helpful content! Yes, pipe insulation is one of the most important points. By the way, it’s useful to do this not only because this way you can avoid frozen pipes. But it will also reduce heat loss by 25 to 45%.

  3. Such a good quide! I see that you mention insulation – you’re totally right! Insulation on exposed parts of your plumbing system can help protect them and allow them to work more efficiently.

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