When temperatures drop across Belleville and the Metro East, frozen pipes can become a serious concern for homeowners. Plumbing located in exterior walls, crawl spaces, garages, basements, and other poorly heated areas can be particularly vulnerable during periods of extreme cold.
A frozen pipe isn’t just an inconvenience. As water freezes and expands, pressure can build within the plumbing system and contribute to a cracked or burst pipe.
Taking a few precautions before temperatures fall can help protect your home’s plumbing and reduce the risk of water damage.
Not every pipe in your home faces the same risk.
Plumbing is more vulnerable when it’s located in areas exposed to cold temperatures, such as:
If you’ve experienced frozen plumbing in the past, pay particular attention to those areas before the next cold spell.
Insulating exposed plumbing can help protect it from extremely cold temperatures.
Foam pipe insulation and other products designed specifically for plumbing are available for exposed water lines. Pay particular attention to pipes running through areas that don’t receive much heat.
If you’re unsure which plumbing is vulnerable or how it should be protected, a residential plumbing professional can help identify potential problem areas.
Don’t forget about your outdoor plumbing when preparing for winter.
Disconnect garden hoses from exterior faucets before freezing weather arrives. Water trapped in a connected hose or outdoor plumbing can freeze and potentially damage the faucet or connected pipe.
If your home has dedicated shutoff valves for exterior faucets, follow the appropriate winterization procedure for your particular plumbing system.
Maintaining adequate indoor heat is particularly important during periods of extreme cold.
If you’re leaving home during winter, don’t shut the heating system off completely. Maintaining heat can help protect plumbing located inside walls and other areas you can’t easily access.
Also make sure your heating system is ready for winter before extremely cold temperatures arrive. A furnace breakdown during a cold spell can quickly create additional problems for your home’s plumbing.
Pipes beneath kitchen and bathroom sinks located along exterior walls may not receive as much warm household air as other plumbing.
During extremely cold weather, opening cabinet doors can allow warmer indoor air to circulate around the pipes.
If you have children or pets, make sure household cleaners, chemicals, and other potentially hazardous items stored in those cabinets remain safely out of reach.
During particularly cold conditions, allowing a small amount of water to flow through a vulnerable line may help reduce the risk of freezing.
This isn’t something every faucet needs all winter. It’s a precaution that may be appropriate for plumbing that’s particularly susceptible to freezing during extreme temperatures.
If you’re unsure whether this is necessary for your home, ask a plumber about the specific pipes and conditions involved.
Sometimes the problem isn’t simply the outdoor temperature—it’s cold air reaching plumbing that would otherwise remain protected.
Check areas around pipes for obvious drafts and openings where cold outdoor air can enter.
Common problem areas can include:
Properly sealing appropriate openings can help keep cold air away from vulnerable plumbing.
One of the most obvious signs is turning on a faucet and getting little or no water when other fixtures are operating normally.
You may also notice visible frost on exposed plumbing or discover that a particular section of pipe feels unusually cold.
If you suspect a pipe is frozen, don’t ignore it. A frozen pipe may already be under significant pressure, and damage can become apparent as the ice begins to thaw.
If you suspect a frozen pipe, open the affected faucet. This gives melting water and pressure somewhere to go as the pipe thaws.
If the frozen section is accessible, you may be able to gradually warm the area using safe, gentle heat, such as warm air from a hair dryer.
Never use an open flame, torch, or other high-heat device to thaw plumbing.
If you can’t locate the frozen area, can’t safely access it, or aren’t comfortable thawing the pipe yourself, call a plumber.
You should also inspect the area carefully as the pipe thaws because a crack may not become obvious until water begins flowing again.
If a frozen pipe has cracked or burst and water is escaping, shut off your home’s main water supply as quickly as you can safely do so.
Then contact a plumber for professional pipe and leak repair.
Knowing where your main water shutoff valve is located before an emergency occurs can save valuable time. Every homeowner should locate it and make sure household members know where it is.
If water is near electrical equipment or outlets, stay clear of the affected area and don’t enter standing water where an electrical hazard may be present.
The best time to think about frozen pipes is before a period of extreme cold arrives.
Disconnect outdoor hoses, protect vulnerable plumbing, keep your home adequately heated, and pay attention to pipes located in colder areas of the house.
Ehret Inc. provides professional plumbing services throughout Belleville, IL and surrounding Metro East communities. If you’re concerned about vulnerable plumbing or discover a frozen, leaking, or burst pipe, our experienced plumbers can help.
Schedule plumbing service with Ehret Inc. or call (618) 233-1018 for assistance.
