When the temperatures drop, one major issue that could come
up is a frozen water pipe. Know why
frozen pipes are so dangerous, the types of pipes that are most vulnerable to
freezing and signs that a pipe is actually frozen.
Why Are Frozen
Pipes Dangerous?
They can create an inconvenience but, more seriously, can
cause major damage to your property.
•Lack of Running
Water– The most obvious danger of a frozen pipe is the inability to access
running water. This can interfere with
your everyday tasks such as washing the dishes or taking a shower
•Potential to Burst-
The second problem that can occur when a pipe freezes is that the pipe actually
bursts. Once the actual water in the
pipe freezes, pressure is created between the closed faucet and the blockage
that can build up to a point that causes the pipe to burst.
Pipes That Are
Vulnerable to Freezing
There are some pipes that are more vulnerable to freezing
than others:
•Southern Climates-
Pipes that are located in climates which rarely see cold temperatures may be
particularly vulnerable to freezing as we just learned with this Januarys
freeze. This is due to the lack of
insulation around the pipes. Since these
areas rarely see temperatures around 32 degrees Fahrenheit, water pipes are
more likely to be located in areas of the property which are not properly
insulated against the cold.
•Exterior Walls- Water pipes that are located along the exterior
walls of a home can be vulnerable to freezing. This is because they may not have the adequate
amount of insulation protecting them from the exterior temperatures.
•Attics and
Basements/Crawlspaces- Pipes that are located in attics, crawlspaces or in
basements may also have a greater tendency to freeze. These pipes may not receive the same amount of
heat as the rest of the property. If
these areas are not used as living space, they also may not be properly
insulated.
Signs of Frozen
Pipes
There are a few clues which can help you determine if you
have frozen pipes:
•The Temperature Is
Right- Pipes cannot freeze if it is not cold enough outside for them to do
so. Water does not freeze when it is 60
degrees Fahrenheit outside, and neither do pipes. When the temperature falls to 32 degrees
Fahrenheit or lower, you should begin to take precautions to prevent vulnerable
pipes from freezing.
•There Is Frost on
the Pipe- For pipes that can actively be seen, such as those under sinks,
you may be able to see frost that has accumulated on the exterior of the pipe. This can serve as a warning sign that the pipe
is frozen before you ever try to turn on the faucet.
•No Water Is Coming
Out of the Faucet- Another sign that you may have a frozen pipe on your
hands is lack of running water. If you turn
on a kitchen or bathroom faucet and only a slight trickle of water or no water
at all comes out, the water pipe leading to the faucet may be frozen.
•Strange Smells-
Another potential sign of a blocked pipe is an odd smell coming from a faucet
or drain. If the pipe is partially or completely blocked, the only way the odor
can escape is back up in the direction of your property.
Act Quickly
Once you are aware that a pipe is frozen, you must act
quickly to thaw the pipe. Depending on
the location of the pipe and your level of expertise, you can attempt to thaw
the pipe yourself or you can contact a licensed plumber to thaw the pipe for
you. It is imperative to thaw the pipe
as soon as possible, because it has the potential to burst and cause extensive
damage to your property.
How Much Does a
Frozen Pipe Cost to Fix?
It is very difficult to estimate the cost of fixing a frozen
pipe because each situation is so unique. Two factors that play a huge role in
cost are the location of the pipe and whether the pipe has burst.
If you are able to easily access the blockage, such as a
pipe under a kitchen sink, you might be able to thaw the blockage for free
using hair dryer or hot rags.
If the blockage is buried in a wall, fixing the issue will
become more expensive. You may spend a few hundred dollars cutting open
sheetrock to find the problem or more than a thousand if you need to hire a
plumber find and thaw out the blockage.
If a frozen pipe bursts and you have a flooding issue on
your hands, you could be faced with thousands of dollars of damage. You will
have to hire a plumber to fix the burst pipe and then you will have to deal
with fixing any damage the water has caused inside your property.
