Frozen Pipes Create Big Problems

Water has a unique property in that it expands as it freezes. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes. No matter the "strength" of a container, expanding water can cause pipes to break. Pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, and water supply pipes. Pipes located in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, kitchen cabinets, and pipes that run against exterior walls are especially subject to freezing.

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. Many products are available at your local building supplies retailer. Pipes should be carefully wrapped, with ends butted tightly and joints wrapped with tape. Follow manufacturer's recommendations for installing and using these products. 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, Take Preventive Action

· 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 because the temperature of the water running through it is above 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 55ºF.

To Thaw Frozen Pipes

If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Locate the suspected frozen area of the water pipe immediately. The first places to look include pipes running 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 more ice in the pipe.

· Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device. A blowtorch can make water in a frozen pipe boil and cause the pipe to explode. All open flames in homes present a serious fire danger, as well as a severe risk of exposure to lethal carbon monoxide.

· 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.

· Be prepared for water leaks from pipes that have been frozen for several hours. They may have cracked and can leak once they are thawed. Know how to turn off the water supply coming into your house to avoid water damage.

For more information related to winter weather, check out the MU Extension Emergency Management webpage at: http://extension.missouri.edu/main/DisplayCategory.aspx?C=10. Click on severe winter weather then follow the links for news, websites or publications.

MU expert recommends precautions to avoid frozen pipes

Temperatures hovering near zero could mean problems with frozen water lines. Homeowners should take precautions to prevent pipes from freezing and know to how to thaw frozen pipes safely, according to University of Missouri Extension experts.

“With temperatures staying well below freezing, even people who have never had a pipe freeze could have problems,” said David Hedrick, director of the MU Extension’s Fire and Rescue Training Institute. “Any pipes that run along an outside wall may be at additional risk.”

Water lines in outbuildings without a heat source also could experience freezing, he said.

Hedrick suggests adding extra insulation to prevent the pipes from freezing. If that’s not feasible, there are several measures homeowners can take to prevent problems, he said.

Opening cabinet doors below sinks will allow heat to get in the pipes. A heat source such as a shielded light bulb placed near water pipes also can be effective. Hedrick cautioned that the light bulb should not come in contact with combustibles, which could ignite a fire.

One method Hedrick warns against is allowing water to run from the faucet.

“That could create problems with water pressure and storage water in public water systems, which could affect the available water for firefighting purposes,” he said.

If water pipes do freeze, Ronn Phillips, MU associate professor of architectural studies, cautions homeowners to proceed cautiously.

“The object is to thaw the pipe at the same rate that it froze, so it doesn’t damage the pipes,” Phillips said. “Nothing damages a pipe faster than dislodging the joints on a soldered connection. The joints are the weakest point.”

Phillips said the first step is to relieve the pressure in the line by turning on the faucet.

Next, apply heat to the frozen section of the pipe. “Something as simple as a light bulb will work,” he said. Hedrick said a blow-dryer works equally well.

The heat source should thaw the pipe slowly, Phillips said. “Blowtorches or kerosene and propane heaters heat up too quickly and could cause the pipe to break.

Hedrick noted that any kind of direct flame increases the risk of setting surrounding materials on fire.

Phillips urges homeowners to be especially careful with plastic pipes, which have a lower melting point than copper pipes. He added that plastic pipe will become brittle and rigid at low temperatures.

“Plastic is renowned for busting before copper,” he said.