Even in Texas, weather stations often predict a hard freeze for Houston and surrounding areas. This means temperatures will drop to freezing or below several days in a row. Many homeowners are asking, “How can I prevent frozen and broken water pipes?”
Why Do Pipes Freeze and Break During a Cold Spell?
When temperatures drop below freezing, water freezes and expands. A gallon of water will expand to a volume of 9% greater than that of the original gallon. The expanding water in your home’s waterlines causes the pipes in your home to crack or burst under this pressure and possibly flood your home or business. Pipes that freeze first are generally located near outside walls or in unfinished areas of your home where they can be exposed to the subfreezing temperatures. Outdoor hose bibs, pool lines, indoor and outdoor sprinkler systems, and other supply lines located in crawl spaces, garages, unfinished basements, or attics are especially susceptible.
Steps to Prevent Frozen Pipes
An ounce of prevention before cold weather sets in can literally save you thousands of dollars in water damage from broken or burst pipes. Following the steps below can significantly reduce the chances of having a plumbing emergency during the cold winter months:
Protect all outside exposed water line shut-off valves including outside water faucet hose bibs, water softener equipment, pool equipment, and sprinkler systems. Be sure to include any backflow preventers if installed. Be sure to protect all valves as well as the water piping itself.
Keep garage doors closed tightly if there are any water supply lines or valves in that area.
Open kitchen and all bathroom cabinet doors (during the freeze warning) and all other cabinet areas that are located on outside walls, this will allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing which will not keep pipes from freezing, but could aid in providing warm air circulation. This step is most important after the pipes have frozen and you are trying to thaw out your plumbing pipes.
Protect all exposed water piping. Insulate all areas where water supply lines are unheated. Keep in mind areas with running water such as crawl spaces, garages, attics, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets, that are up against an outside wall need insulation as well.
Both hot and cold-water lines should be insulated in these spaces. A hot water supply line can freeze just as fast as a cold-water supply line can freeze if water is not running through the pipe.
On the outside (fountains, outdoor kitchens, etc.) need extra more insulation than the interior of your home, keeping in mind that all insulation is weatherproof. Note: Outside hose bibs with vacuum breakers could prevent the water from draining down the incoming water riser and should be removed temporarily.
During frigid cold snaps, do not alternate temperature settings on your thermostat. Keeping your thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night will help to keep pipe temperatures consistent. If leaving for an extended period of time, do not set the thermostat below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you have water pipes in your attic, open access doors or stairs to allow warm air to circulate into the attic and around the pipes.
Don’t forget to check and protect your water heater during cold temperatures. (tankless water heaters automatically warm themselves during cold weather and no extra care should be necessary.
In addition to checking your waterlines, each individual angle stop / shut off valve should also be checked at least once a year. Each valve should open and close easily by hand. This will also help prevent them from sticking when you need to use them in the event of a leak or frozen pipe. If you find that one of the valves is sticking or leaking, call us to replace it right away.
*NOTE: If the home is vacant or if you are going to be gone for a long period of time, additional steps not included above, will be necessary to properly winterize your home and should be further consulted.
Steps to Take After Pipes Have Frozen
We do not advise attempt to turn the water on until you have completed the following steps.
If you have experienced frozen pipes; example: water is on to house and water is not coming out of fixture when in use.
Turn the water off to your property at the meter if you have not previously done.
Very important, nothing can be done to unfreeze your pipes if the temperature is freezing outside. The only viable option is to wait for the outside temperature to rise above freezing before attempting to thaw your pipes.
Turn the water off at water heater, this will allow you to energize one half of your house at a time to eliminate damage from broken pipes.
Open kitchen and all bathroom cabinet doors (during the freeze warning) and all other cabinet areas that are located on outside walls, this will allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing which will not keep pipes from freezing, but could aid in providing warm air circulation. This step is most important after the pipes have froze and you are trying to thaw out your plumbing pipes.
If you have water pipes in your attic, open access doors or stairs to allow warm air to circulate into the attic and around the pipes.
You may attempt to thaw your pipes starting at your main water service valve at your house using a common household hairdryer. Do not attempt to thaw your pipes with any type of open flame, fire, cigarette lighter, torch, etc. You will certainly cause more damage than intended.
Have members of your family, neighbors, friends as possible in areas where you have plumbing fixtures, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and utility rooms, while you are turning on the water. This will allow to hear any excessive water running without operating a plumbing fixture.
If running water is heard immediately turn the water off and call GAP Plumbing at (281) 358-5115 or by text us at (281) 954-3976
What If I Experience a Broken Pipe?
The single most important thing for any homeowner to know is where the main water shut-off valve is located on their property and how to use it. Ensuring each member of your household knows how to turn off the water to your home in the event of a water line break or water heater failure can prevent severe flooding and damage in the event of a critical failure. For instructions on locating and using your shut-off valves please refer to our article:
How to Shut Off the Main Water Line
Should you experience a frozen or broken water line pipe, our technicians are on-call during unusual natural disasters and we can help you locate your shut-off to mitigate the damage as well as repair the pipe.
At GAP Plumbing Inc., we have been providing reliable plumbing services to Kingwood, Atascocita, Humble, Spring, Porter, Splendora, New Caney and The Woodlands for over 15 years and our services cover all of your plumbing needs; new install, remodel, maintenance, and emergency repairs.
Book online by clicking here or give our friendly office a call at (281) 358-5115
or text us at (281) 954-3976 (pictures not accepted by text).