Red Cross offers tips on problem of freezing pipes in cold Minnesota winter | Elk River Star News

Why pipe freezing is a problem

Water expands when it freezes. This extension puts tremendous pressure on everything it contains, including metal or plastic pipes. No matter the strength of a container, expanding water can cause pipes to break.

The most common pipes that freeze are:

– Pipes that are exposed to extreme cold, such as B. Outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines and sprinkler lines.

– Water supply lines in unheated indoor areas such as basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages or kitchen cupboards.

– Pipes that run along external walls with little or no insulation.

How to protect pipes from freezing

Before the onset of cold weather, protect your pipes from freezing by following the recommendations below:

– Drain the water from the supply lines of the swimming pool and the water sprinkler system according to the instructions of the manufacturer or installer. Do not use antifreeze in these lines unless directed to do so. Antifreeze is harmful to the environment and dangerous to people, pets, wildlife, and landscaping.

– Remove, drain and store hoses used outdoors. Close the internal valves that feed the hose bibs outdoors. Open the outer hose bibs to allow the water to drain away. Keep the outside valve open to allow the water remaining in the pipe to expand without breaking the pipe.

– Insulate attics, basements and crawl spaces. The insulation maintains higher temperatures in these areas.

– Look for other areas of the house that have water supply lines in unheated areas. Look in the garage and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Both hot and cold water pipes in these areas should be insulated.

– Consider installing certain water pipe insulation products such as a “pipe sleeve” or installing UL Listed “heat tapes,” “heat cables,” or similar materials on exposed water pipes. Newspapers can provide some insulation and protection to exposed pipes – even 1/4-inch newspapers can provide significant protection in areas that typically don’t have frequent or prolonged freezing temperatures.

– Consider laying exposed pipes for better protection from freezing.

How to prevent frozen pipes

Keep garage doors closed when there are water pipes in the garage.

Open the doors of the kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow the warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Make sure harmful detergents and household chemicals get out of the reach of children.

If the weather is very cold outside, drain the cold water from the faucet, which is served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe – even with a trickle – prevents the pipes from freezing.

Keep the thermostat at the same temperature both day and night. If you temporarily stop using lower night temperatures, this can lead to a higher heating bill. However, you can prevent a much more costly repair if the pipes freeze and burst.

If you go out in cold weather, keep the heating in your house on and set a temperature no less than 55 ° F.

If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, you suspect a frozen pipe. Possible places for frozen pipes are outside walls or places where your water service enters your home through the foundation.

Keep the tap open. When you handle the frozen pipe and the frozen area starts to melt, water will flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.

Apply heat to the pipe section by wrapping an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, portable space heater (keep away from flammable materials), or pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or any other device with an open flame.

Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you cannot find the frozen area, if the frozen area is inaccessible, or if you cannot thaw the pipe, contact a licensed plumber.

Check all the other faucets in your house to see if you have any additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, so can others. – Source: American Red Cross