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.
Frozen pipes generally occur below 20° F. But freezing can happen above that threshold as well, especially if you have uninsulated pipes running through an uninsulated space.
Keep the Heat On
The ideal temperature would be around 55 to 60 degrees. This will be warm enough to keep pipes from freezing.
Yes, pipes can freeze overnight if temperatures plummet drastically. Uninsulated pipes in unheated areas like attics or exterior walls are most vulnerable.
Pipes can freeze when the temperature stays at or below 0°C for an extended period of time, especially if they are exposed to the cold.
Prevent Frozen Pipes
Moving water keeps pipes from freezing. Find shut off valves for emergencies. Insulate pipes in unheated areas. Open cupboards and vanities to warm pipes.
Regardless of how long you will be traveling and away from home, keep your thermostat set at 68 degrees Fahrenheit or above. This will help to keep the pipes on the inside of the home from freezing and the ones under the home at a slightly higher temperature as well.
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.
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.
A bad enough cold spot can freeze in a 75 degree home, but its much less likely than in a 55 degree home. Essentially, the colder you keep your home in the winter, the greater the risk of frozen pipes. There's no magic number (I guess technically above 32), so the best that can be said is warmer is better.
Be careful not to make extreme changes to your home temperature. An indoor temperature of less than 55 degrees may lead to freezing pipes, while anything more than 80 may damage drywall.
Ways to avoid frozen pipes
Keep each room in your home warm by setting your thermostat to a minimum of 16 degrees centigrade. If you're worried about your heating bills, turn the radiators down in the rooms you don't use. If you have a loft, leave the hatch open to allow warm air to enter the roof space.
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.
Hearing Unusual Sounds From the Pipes
As pipes begin to freeze, it may make sounds such as gurgling, clanging, or banging. This can be because of the water suddenly expanding as it freezes and/or because of the changing water pressure due to freezing.
A frost can occur anytime temperatures drop to 37° or lower. Most often, frosts are associated with clear skies and calm winds overnight and during the early morning hours on a cold day. On the other hand, a freeze only occurs when surface temperatures drop below 32°, or the point at which liquid water freezes.
But while a lower temperature may reduce your heating bill, it could mean disaster if a cold temperatures hit, and your pipes freeze and burst. This doesn't mean you have to keep your house as warm as normal — any temperature 55 degrees or higher is appropriate to keep your pipes safe.
If you live in a climate with freezing temperatures, you'll want to cover your outdoor faucets in the winter rather than dripping them. Even with a vigorous drip, frigid temperatures can travel through your faucet and freeze the connecting pipes. Before using a cover, you'll need to properly winterize your faucet.
Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
Overall, it's best that you take heed and drip your faucets when temperatures dip below freezing. A simple trickle of hot and/or cold water—both from faucets inside and outside the home—can prevent you from having to deal with a much larger issue (and bill!) in the long run.
Frozen pipes will eventually thaw on their own, but it could take days or even weeks. If New York City is experiencing a brutal cold snap, the temperature could stay below freezing for many days. Meanwhile, the water in the pipes could be expanding.
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 World Health Organization recommends keeping indoor temperatures between 64 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for healthy people. The minimum temperature should be kept above 68 degrees Fahrenheit to protect the very young, the elderly, or people with health problems. Watch out for signs of hypothermia.
Don't turn your thermostat down below 65 degrees during extreme cold. Further drops in temperature could be enough to cause a problem, especially inside walls where pipes are located. Your heating bill may go up a little, but that's better than an expensive repair job if a pipe freezes and bursts.