Frozen water pipes are a serious risk during very cold winter weather. When water freezes in a pipe, it expands and can exert pressure at over 2,000 pounds per square inch. That’s enough to rupture almost any pipe since there is no place for the ice to expand.
A ruptured pipe can be a time bomb. Initially, there may be no leaking at all since the frozen water can completely block the pipe—until the ice begins to thaw, at which point you are on the verge of a major flood. There are many instances where homeowners try to escape a cold winter for a few weeks of vacation in a warm climate, only to return to a home that has been devastated by tens of thousands of dollars in damage from water that has destroyed walls, ceilings, and floors.
Pipes are most susceptible to freezing when they are located:
- In an outside wall that is subject to freezing outdoor temperatures
- In a cabinet under a sink (especially when located near an outside wall)
- In an unheated crawl space or basement
- Near outdoor faucets (hose bibs) used to connect garden hoses
If your pipe is frozen but not yet ruptured, you must thaw it right away. There are a few thawing techniques to try, depending on where the frozen pipe is located.
Warning
Never use a blow torch or other open flame to thaw a pipe. This presents a serious fire hazard and can damage the pipe.
Locating the Frozen Water Pipe
A frozen pipe that hasn’t burst yet often reveals itself at a faucet. When you turn on the faucet in very cold weather and no water comes out or has slowed to a trickle, there is a good chance the pipe is blocked with ice somewhere in the line. It’s time to take immediate action.
Shut off the water to the faucet locally or at the home’s main water shutoff valve. Open the faucet that is supplied by the frozen pipe; do this even if you don’t know where the blockage is.
Identify the frozen pipe and locate the blockage. Follow the pipe back from the faucet to where it runs through cold areas, such as an exterior wall or unheated crawl space. Look for areas of the pipe that have frost or ice; it may also be slightly bulged or fissured.
How you thaw the pipe will depend on where it is located.
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