Frozen Pipes

 If the outside temperature is below 32 degrees F and your pipes are unprotected, your chances for a frozen pipe increase. Pipes can freeze in as little as six to eight hours, meaning they can freeze overnight. Indoor pipes are more protected, typically requiring 20 F or lower for freezing to occur.   Ice may build up inside pipes, blocking unfrozen water from flowing.

Pipes made of copper are  the most vulnerable to ruptures when frozen. 

When below freezing temperatures occur over a few days, water pipes and meters that are close to cold air may freeze. Property owners are responsible for protecting both water pipes and the water meter from damage.  Westchester residents should take steps to prevent water pipes and meters from freezing to avoid unnecessary and expensive repairs. Preventing pipes and meters from freezing is much easier than trying to thaw them. 

Homeowners are responsible for protecting their pipes & water meter from freezing. Most pipes & water meters are in basements, crawl spaces, and other unheated areas, where cold winter temps could cause them to freeze. If a meter freezes and breaks because the homeowner did not take reasonable steps to protect it, DEP will repair or replace the meter and bill the homeowner for the cost. If a service pipe freezes and breaks, it is the homeowner’s responsibility to have repairs made.

It’s not a fun problem to deal with but it’s helpful to know why pipes are more likely to burst in cold weather, and what you can do to prevent it. Water expands when it freezes, which can result to leaking or bursting of weak pipes. It is a misconception that ice expansion causes a pipe to burst. Water expands when it freezes, adding considerable pressure on your plumbing pipes. The additional pressure can cause a tiny leak at a joint or crack on a length of pipe, unleashing the flow of water inside your home. Opening a faucet will lessen the unfrozen water pressure between the ice and faucet. 

 Copper is the most likely to freeze and break.

PEX has the best chance of surviving low temperatures because it is so flexible. PVC pipe is also less rigid than copper. PVC will expand a bit, minimizing the pressure on its walls and keeping it from bursting as quickly as copper.

Galvanized pipe rarely splits along its length - but will split at a Tee or 90 degree bend. 

Copper can be thawed with use of a thawing machine and the metal copper pipe will conduct the heat from blow dryer or a heater or heat trace. 

Drain pipes may freeze also. Have your drains cleared ahead of the cold weather. A partially clogged drain can completely freeze with just a small amount of water standing in the pipe

 Frozen water pipes? We use a pipe thawing machine that is quick and easy way to get water flowing and reduce the risk of having pipes burst.  Water normally begins flowing again in a few minutes. Once your piping is thawed we  check for any possible leaks that could have been caused by the pipes freezing.

NEVER USE AN OPEN FLAME TO THAW PIPE

If you experience frozen pipes - open a faucet and raise the heat in the room OR  heat up the pipe with a hair dryer . Warm up the pipe and area around it with an electric heater. Heat trace is a resistance heating tape that wraps around the pipe and uses electricity to keep it warm—a kind of electric heater for the pipe.