How to Prevent Frozen Water Pipes

You can prevent frozen water pipes.

Introduction:

 If you have a hot water boiler heating system with baseboard heating as opposed to air handlers, you should take precautions to avoid frozen water pipes.

If you live in a cold region where the temperature falls many degrees below zero you should be especially concerned on how to prevent frozen water pipes. A frozen water pipe in your heating system or the water supply system can cause extensive damage to your house.

I happened to talk to a plumber friend yesterday who was maxed out doing service calls for frozen water pipes; most were associated boiler heating systems. The cause of the frozen pipes was the result of the ambient temperature dropping to15 degrees below zero in recent days. Nearly all the freeze ups were the result of poor insulation where the plumbing ran through a cold space in the wall or in a crawl space.     

Frozen water pipes occur as the water freezes causing the thin walls of the copper water pipe to expand beyond the design limits. Pipe and pipe fittings used in most hot water heating systems is referred to “Type M Copper Water Pipe” In most cases it’s a ¾ inch diameter pipe that has a wall thickness of only 0.032 inches. It is usually identified by a red line on the side of the pipe and referred to as “red pipe”. Although it expands quite rapidly as hot water flows through it, it will not burst under normal operating boiler pressure. It will burst if the water freezes because the thin wall can only withstand approximately 1800 pounds per square inch.

What actually occurs is that the pipe splits along its length from the expanding frozen water. As the pipe splits open the water leaks causes a real mess to deal with. When a hot water system pipe freezes the entire section of pipe is replaced due to the excessive expansion although the whole section may not appear to be damaged.

Many homes that use a boiler for heat also use air handlers where the hot water is converted to force hot air. The use of air handlers avoids extensive use of copper hot water pipes. Air handlers are usually positioned in the basement where there is little concern for frozen water pipes even if there is a power outage.  

Tips on How to prevent frozen water pipes:

1.    Insulate all water pipes that are in any area that is susceptible to freezing. Pipe insulation is inexpensive and easy to install. Nearly every home improvement supply center sells pipe insulation in different sizes.

2.    If a water pipe passes through a cold spot rap it with heat tape and keep it plugged in during the winter season.

3.    Check basement doors and bulkheads for air leaks and pack insulation around any suspect area.

4.    If a water line runs in an outside wall have it moved or move it yourself.

5.    Outside water outlets usually have anti freeze shut offs whereby the spigot is outside but the internal shut off valve is located internal to the plumbing and extends to the inside of the wall. If the outside water outlets are the anti-freeze type either replace them or install a shut off on the line inside the heated space or basement.

6.    Disconnect outside water hoses as the trapped water will freeze and split the outside spigot even though it is an anti-freeze spigot.

7.    If the kitchen or bathroom is on an outside wall, leave the cabinet or vanity doors open on very cold nights so the area can absorb from the house.

8.    If you have a frozen pipe that has not failed, turn up the room heat or apply heat with a heat lamp. Do not over heat a frozen water pipe as the water will begin to boil causing excessive pressure and rupture the pipe.

9.    If you do have a frozen water pipe immediately turn off the water to mitigate the damage.

By following these tips you can prevent frozen water pipes. If you suspect that a water pipe may freeze take immediate action to prevent it.

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