As the winter weather moves in, you may be wondering whether frozen pipes are a cause for immediate concern. While it may be tempting to try to wait out frozen pipes and let them thaw on their own, this can actually lead to serious consequences for your home and health. Read on to learn the risks of letting frozen pipes thaw on their own and discover the steps you can take to protect your home and prevent a plumbing disaster.
Understanding Frozen Pipes
When temperatures fall below freezing, standing water inside your pipes can quickly turn to ice. As the water freezes, it expands and puts pressure on the pipe, leading to cracks, blockages, and ruptures. Pipes in unheated locations like basements, crawl spaces, and exterior walls are the most at risk. Even just a small section of your pipe freezing can wreak havoc on your entire plumbing system, leading to costly repairs and water damage.
Factors Affecting Thawing of Frozen Pipes
From the material to their location, several factors play a role in how long it takes for your pipes to thaw after freezing.
- Pipe material: Metal pipes, such as copper and steel, conduct heat faster, helping them thaw quicker when temperatures rise. Plastic pipes don’t have the natural heat conductivity of metal, so the thawing process tends to take longer.
- Pipe size: Smaller pipes hold less water, meaning they’ll thaw and freeze faster than large pipes.
- Location: The colder the environment, the longer it will take for the pipe to thaw. Pipes in heated spaces thaw faster than those outside or in uninsulated areas.
- Outside temperature: The longer the outdoor temperature stays below freezing, the longer the thawing process will take.
- Heat source: Applying a direct heat source, like a heat gun or hairdryer, helps thaw a pipe faster than indirect heat, such as space heaters or rising indoor temperatures.
- Insulation: Adding insulation to pipes helps retain heat and speed up the thawing process.
Can Frozen Pipes Thaw on Their Own?
While pipes can thaw naturally, waiting for that to happen isn’t always the best idea. If temperatures remain too low, you may have to wait hours, days, or even weeks for the ice to melt. The slow thawing can also allow pressure to build up and increase the risk of bursting. Taking action immediately helps avoid plumbing disasters and restores function to your plumbing without the wait.
How to Thaw Frozen Pipes: Best Practices
If your pipes freeze, it’s important to take action quickly to prevent damage, leaks, and bursts. Contact a reputable plumber near you for emergency repair. They’ll quickly assess your pipes to determine the safest and most effective thawing process. While you wait for them to arrive, you can try to gently warm the pipes by doing the following:
- Turn on a faucet: Allowing a small amount of water to run through the faucet nearest to the pipe helps relieve pressure on the system and reduce the risk of bursting.
- Apply gentle heat: Use a hair dryer, heat tape, or space heater to slowly warm the frozen section of the pipe.
- Open cabinet doors: If the pipes are underneath a sink, open the cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate around them.
- Turn up the thermostat: Increasing the temperature in your home can help begin the thawing process while you wait for a plumber to arrive.
Preventing Frozen Pipes
The best way to protect your home against costly and destructive water damage is to take preventive steps to stop your pipes from freezing. If a cold front is on the horizon, take the following steps to protect your pipes:
- Allow a small drip to escape from a faucet to keep water moving.
- Wrap exposed pipes in foam insulation or heat tape.
- Keep cabinets open to allow warm air to circulate.
- Set your thermostat above 55 degrees, even if you’re away.
- Seal gaps or cracks around windows, doors, and exterior walls to prevent cold drafts from reaching your pipes.
- Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses and shut off water to spigots.
Risks of Ignoring Frozen Pipes
A frozen pipe is something you should never ignore. If ice is left sitting inside, it can begin to expand, putting excess pressure on the pipe and increasing the risk of:
- Bursting: If the pressure inside the pipe becomes too strong, it can burst, causing major water damage to your home.
- Water damage: A burst pipe can destroy your walls, floors, ceilings, and personal belongings as water seeps into your home.
- Mold and mildew growth: Without proper cleanup, excess moisture from a burst pipe can lead to mold and mildew growth. These can cause damage and unpleasant smells but pose a serious health risk to your household.
- Increased energy bills: If water from a burst pipe soaks into your insulation, it’ll begin to lose effectiveness and reduce your home’s energy efficiency.
- Structural damage: Over time, water damage from a burst or leaking pipe weakens wood, drywall, and other structural elements of your home.
Frozen Pipes Not Thawing? Contact the Plumbing Professionals at High 5
If you discover frozen pipes in your home, don’t sit around and wait for them to thaw. Call the experts at High 5 Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling for emergency repair. Our skilled plumbers will safely thaw your pipes to prevent further damage and get your plumbing system flowing again. With over 10 years of experience and 24/7 availability, you can count on us for five-star service whenever you need it.
Call us or book online to schedule service in the Greater Denver Metro Area today. We also offer comprehensive plumbing, HVAC, and electrical services, so you can find all your home services under one roof.
