Nothing ruins the morning more than a broken water pipe
By Donald McBrayer
As I gaze out upon the thermometer beyond the window this morning, I see it is 25 degrees below zero. Then I wonder — How are my pipes doing?
Even if you haven’t had a broken or frozen water pipe in years, the chance of seeing one today is very good. These temperatures added to a little wind will allow the fingers of Old Jack Frost to seek out weak spots in the home plumbing you may not know ever existed.
Why do pipes break when they freeze? We all remember our third-grade science class. When water freezes it expands. If water is sealed in a container, the expansion from freezing will cause that container to burst. Our internal home plumbing is a sealed container, and will certainly bust if allowed to freeze. To prevent this we have two choices: One: don’t allow the pipes to freeze by keeping them warm. Two: allow someplace for the expansion to go.
Copper pipes are more likely to break when frozen than the newer Pex (cross-linked polyethylene tubing) plumbing systems. Don’t think you’re off the hook with Pex however. Pex piping may be far more resilient to breaks from freezing than traditional copper, but it isn’t foolproof. Pex joints are a weak point when freezing, and should be watched closely when it’s this cold.
Keeping pipes warm can be done with the usual methods. They can be wrapped in insulation, or electric heat-tapes. Or heated from an outside source like a space heater. Be very careful with heat-tapes and space heaters. Many fires are started by improper use, worn out systems, and improper monitoring of these heating methods. Never leave a space heater unmonitored. Also, never try adding extra heat to confined space with any carbon based heating system including, propane heaters, kerosene heaters, or wood/charcoal burners. Death by carbon monoxide poisoning ruins the day more than frozen water pipes every time.
A better way to reduce the risk of a burst pipe is by allowing the expansion from freezing some place to go. Opening any tap a little allowing a little water to drizzle down the drain will accomplish this. It’s not that flowing water prevents freezing, but rather the open tap allows the escape of pressure from freezing. This prevents the pipe from expanding under pressure. If you’re concerned about wasting water, you can turn off the main valve to the entire home, then open several taps to allow the pressure to escape from freezing water still in the system.
If a pipe does freeze, turn off the main valve before trying to thaw it. You could wind up taking a heck of a bath once the ice lets go if the pipe is split. Also be sure to unplug any heat-tapes or any electric devise near the frozen pipe before unthawing to prevent electrocution. Use a hair-dryer (being careful not get electrocuted) to unthaw the pipe. A torch can also be used, but with extreme caution to prevent a fire. Once the pipe is warm, slowly open the main valve allowing the water to flow. Watch closely for any leaks from broken pipes. If there is a leak, turn off the main and open a tap. Then call a plumber . . . they may be busy today, so be patient.
So to recap: be careful not to die from carbon monoxide poisoning, fire, electrocution, or drowning, have the number of your local plumber handy, and enjoy the cold.
By the way – my pipes are fine, phew!!!
Posted: January 24th, 2011 under General News.