Winter in the Midwest is no stranger to extreme cold, and when temperatures plunge, your home’s plumbing is at risk. Frozen pipes are one of the most common and costly winter plumbing emergencies, but the good news is that most cases are entirely preventable. Here is what every homeowner needs to know to stay ahead of the cold.

Why Frozen Pipes Are a Serious Problem

Water expands as it freezes. When that happens inside a pipe, the pressure buildup can cause the pipe to crack or burst, leading to significant water damage, mold growth, and expensive pipe repair. Pipes in unheated spaces like crawl spaces, garages, attics, and exterior walls are especially vulnerable during a cold snap.

Winter Plumbing Tips: How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

Prevention is far less stressful and far less expensive than cleanup. Here are the most effective steps you can take before temperatures drop:

• Insulate exposed pipes. Any pipe in an unheated or poorly insulated area is a candidate for freezing. Foam pipe insulation is inexpensive and easy to install, wrapping around pipes in crawl spaces, basements, and garages to keep them protected even when outside temperatures fall well below freezing.
• Let faucets trickle. On especially cold nights, allow cold-water faucets connected to exterior walls to drip slowly. Moving water is much harder to freeze than standing water, and that small drip can be the difference between a functioning pipe and a burst one.
• Keep interior temperatures consistent. It is tempting to lower the thermostat when you leave for work or head on vacation, but a dramatic temperature drop inside your home can put your pipes at risk. Keep the heat set to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit, even when you are away.
• Open cabinet doors under sinks. Especially for cabinets along exterior walls, leaving doors open allows warm air from your home to circulate around the pipes and help prevent freezing.
• Seal gaps and drafts near pipes. Cold air can sneak in through gaps in walls, floors, and around utility penetrations. Use caulk or spray foam to seal any openings where pipes are nearby, particularly in crawl spaces and unfinished basements.
• Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses. A connected garden hose can trap water in the spigot and cause it to freeze back into the supply line. Always disconnect hoses before the first hard freeze and consider installing insulated faucet covers on outdoor spigots.

Taking these winter plumbing tips seriously before a cold front hits can save you from a stressful and costly emergency. A little preparation now goes a long way toward keeping your pipes intact all season long.

What to Do If a Pipe Freezes

Even with the best preparation, freezing can happen. If you turn on a faucet and get little to no water flow, you likely have a frozen pipe somewhere in the line. Here is how to handle it safely:

First, keep the faucet open. As the pipe thaws, water and steam need a place to exit, and an open faucet reduces pressure buildup in the line. Apply gentle, steady heat to the frozen section. A hair dryer on a low setting or heat tape designed for plumbing are the safest options. Work from the faucet end toward the coldest section of pipe, and never leave heat tape unattended for extended periods.

Whatever you do, do not reach for a blowtorch or any open-flame device. A blowtorch is a serious fire hazard around insulation, wood framing, and other building materials. It can also cause rapid pressure changes that lead to a pipe bursting on the spot. The risk simply is not worth it.

If you cannot locate the frozen section, if thawing attempts are not working, or if you suspect the pipe has already cracked, stop and call a licensed plumber immediately. Continuing to run water or apply heat to a compromised pipe can turn a minor problem into a major flood.

Call Thelen Plumbing, Heating & Air at the First Sign of Trouble

Frozen pipes move fast from inconvenient to catastrophic. Whether you need help winterizing your plumbing, repairing a burst pipe, or making sure your heating system is working hard enough to protect your home this season, the team at Thelen Plumbing, Heating & Air is ready to help. Contact us today to schedule a service call and get ahead of winter before winter gets ahead of you.