Frozen Pipes: Causes and Solutions

Hot chocolate, Christmas vibes, hoodies, and long nights are among the greatest things the winter brings. But, when it comes to your plumbing, frozen pipes are certainly not something to look forward to. When temperatures dip below freezing, water in pipes can freeze and form blocks of ice. It can cause serious damage to your plumbing system by damaging the pipes or breaking them completely.

Let's learn more about frozen pipes so you can protect your home or business!

Causes of Frozen Pipes

Here are the top three causes of frozen pipes in residential and commercial buildings:

Freezing Temperature

Water expands as it freezes. When this happens in a pipe, the pipes can freeze and become blocked. There is not enough room for the ice to expand, leading to a frozen pipe. The coldest temperatures are usually found in areas where the pipes are exposed, such as outside walls and uninsulated basements. Poorly insulated pipes can also freeze in a home or business without proper insulation and winterization.

Low Thermostat

Turning your thermostat down in colder regions can also affect the pipes inside your house. Constant exposure to a cold environment can cause the water to crystallize, especially if you have metal pipes.

However, there is a rare reason for frozen pipes inside the buildings. If you haven’t changed your thermostat settings and the temperature drops, it is time to check the heating system.

Lack of Insulation

The lack of insulation inside the house of the pipeline network can cause freezing water in the pipes. It makes it easier for the colder weather to affect the pipeline and cause damage. If there are any air pockets leading to the water supply system, it can also cause this problem during winter.

Signs of Frozen Pipes

If you don’t know whether your plumbing pipes are frozen or not, you need to look for these signs:

Lack of Water Supply

Frozen pipes can block the water supply to the building. Since the solidified ice will stop the water from moving forward, it will not reach your homes or office taps. You can also experience water coming out of the taps in cold trickles.

Unusual Sounds

Hissing and banging sounds signify frozen pipes in your building. These sounds are caused due to the water pressure created behind the blockage. Since the water is unable to escape, it makes unusual sounds in the pipeline.

Cracks and Bulges

Ice is heavier than water which can permanently damage your water pipes. Once the water solidifies, it also expands, causing the pipes to burst. No matter what the material of your plumbing pipes is, they can have cracks or bulges due to frozen water.

Condensation Marks

Lastly, you will notice the signs of condensation in your pipes. It is because the frozen water inside will create sweat-like marks on the pipe’s exterior. You can also look for frost marks or crystallized water if the temperatures are below freezing.

How We Fix Frozen Pipes

Fixing a frozen plumbing line is essential to access a freshwater supply in your building. An expert plumber fixes the frozen pipes in these steps:

• Inspection: An expert plumber will first inspect the area to understand the problem. Often, the lack of water and hissing sounds are caused due to other types of blockages that are easier to fix. Next, they will check your main pipeline and drains to understand the situation.
• Diagnosis: They might need to run a few tests or break into a wall to identify the root cause. Once the problem is identified, the plumber moves on to the next step.
• Repair: Next, the plumber attempts to fix the frozen pipelines using heat and installing insulation. Finally, they use a heat gun to treat your pipes and remove the blockage. However, if you have plastic pipes, they will need slow heating methods to prevent the material from melting.
• Replace: If your pipes have an unrepairable crack, you might need to get the pipeline replaced. It may seem like a costly option, but installing durable pipes with proper insulation can save you from a long-term hassle.

Protect Your Pipes

Once you understand the severity of the problem, it is important to prevent that from happening. You can protect your pipes from freezing in the following ways:

Use Pipe Insulation

Using thermal insulation on your pipelines can prevent freezing in colder temperatures. It prevents the below-freezing temperatures from affecting the water inside the pipes. This insulation system is easy to install and improves the value of your property in the market.

Let the Water Flow

If you are going on a vacation during winter, make sure to let one tap run. Allow the water to drip slowly, so there is a constant water flow in the pipes. In addition, it prevents the water from staying stagnant in the pipes and freezing due to the temperature.

Turn the Thermostat Up

You can also turn the thermostat up to keep your house interior warmer than the temperature outside. It keeps the pipe network inside your house warm for a long time. Keep the indoor temperature 55 degrees F or above to prevent freezing the water.

Let Creative Capital Plumbing Winterize Your Pipes

Freezing pipes can damage your entire plumbing system, leading to a more costly solution to the problem. So, while it is important to follow all the preventive measures, getting professional help is also crucial.

At Creative Capital Plumbing, you can find expert plumbers to repair freezing pipes and winterize your pipes to keep them from bursting, helping prevent costly water damage to your home or business. Schedule your free consultation today!