Your pipes are at risk of freezing any time temperatures drop below 32°F. However, it's much more common for pipes to freeze when temperatures dip below 20°F. The longer the weather remains below freezing, the more likely it is your pipes can freeze if not properly protected and winterized.
We all know that freezing begins at 32° F or 0° C, but at what point do pipes freeze within our own homes? Temperatures only need to drop to about 20° F for a few hours to put exposed pipes at risk. So, your best bet is to insulate your exposed pipes to keep that temperature well above the freezing point.
Keep the Heat On
The ideal temperature would be around 55 to 60 degrees. This will be warm enough to keep pipes from freezing.
PEX pipes will freeze if the temperature drops to around 20 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. If the pipes are not insulated, they may start to freeze closer to 32 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the freezing point of water. Insulated PEX pipes may be able to withstand some more chill.
When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.
Should You Drip Faucets In Cold Weather? Yes, according to the Red Cross, the short answer to that question is you should.
Yes, pipes can freeze overnight if temperatures plummet drastically. Uninsulated pipes in unheated areas like attics or exterior walls are most vulnerable.
Key Takeaways. All PEX pipes are flexible and can expand in high-pressure, freezing conditions. PEX pipe is more durable than rigid pipe in cold weather but is still susceptible to burst in extreme conditions.
While plastic pipe is more resistant to freezing than metal pipe, precautions should be taken to insulate the pipe when using above ground (generally black pipe). Blue MDPE pipe buried to a minimum depth of 900mm will provide excellent resistance to freezing.
In general, pipes could freeze when the temperature drops below 32 degrees F. Often it needs to have a sustained drop below 30 degrees for most RV pipes to freeze.
What Temperature Will Cause My Pipes to Freeze? Pipes run the risk of freezing at temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, especially if they're not insulated, but most insulated pipes start to freeze at 20 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
Generally, houses in northern climates are built with the water pipes located on the inside of the building insulation, which protects the pipes from subfreezing weather.
Pipes typically burst when exposed to extremely low temperatures for an extended period of time (anywhere from 1-3 days depending on temperature). This is especially true for pipes located on exterior walls. A frozen pipe is likely to burst when any water or liquid trapped within it freezes and begins to expand.
The rule of the thumb is that it takes roughly 6-hours for water in your pipe to freeze after left in an unheated area. Meaning if you lose power at your home and the weather is reaching below freezing point, you have approximately 6-hours until the pipes will begin to freeze.
The U.S. government Department of Energy (DOE) states that people should set their thermostats to 68 degrees F. This is the optimal temperature for keeping a home comfortable.
Insulation can help keep the pipes closer to the temperature of the water inside the pipe, but it does not add extra heat to the pipe and unfortunately will not prevent freezing if the pipe is exposed to prolonged freezing temperatures.
The blue colour of alkathene (or MDPE) pipe denotes that it has been tested and approved by WRAS for potable (drinking) water use. Black alkathene should only be used for non-drinking water applications. Some manufacturers make a black pipe with blue lines, which is also WRAS approved.
PEX, or cross-linked polyethylene, has a chemical structure that gives it flexibility to withstand pressure increases and perform better in the winter. If water freezes in the pipe, for example, PEX will expand to accommodate the change. Then it will contract back to original dimensions once thawed.
Thaw Frozen Pipes
Turn off the water immediately at the main shut off valve. Open the faucet so that water will flow through the pipe once the area is melted. This will help melt more ice.
At What Temperature Do PEX Pipes Freeze? Generally, cold temperatures of 20° F and lower will cause the formation of ice in your uninsulated water lines which will cause your pipes to freeze.
DURING freezing weather:
If you plan to be away from home for several days, shutting off the water can reduce the chances of broken pipes. Set your home heat to at least 55 degrees. Shut off water to the house and open all faucets to drain pipes; flush the toilet once to drain the tank, but not the bowl.
How Long Does It Have To Be Below Freezing For RV Pipes To Freeze? It will only take about 24 hours of below-freezing temperatures (lower than 32 degrees Fahrenheit) for the pipes to freeze in your RV.
So, exactly how cold does it need to be before you do this? Southern Living says professionals list the threshold temperature for pipes to freeze at 20 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning this or anything below can create a potential for water to turn to ice in your pipes.