Pipes are most likely to burst when exposed to below-freezing conditions for six hours or more, which can happen throughout winter and early spring. Burst pipes could lead to a disaster, bringing severe water damage to your home.
This finding was supported by a survey of 71 plumbers practic- ing in southern states, in which the consensus was that burst- pipe problems began to appear when temperatures fell into the teens. However, freezing incidents can occur when the tem- perature remains above 20 degrees F.
Water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets.
With severe cold, even a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze. Prevent temperatures from dropping below 32 degrees in any area of your home where water lines are located. An expert licensed plumber will be able to locate potential pipe bursts and prevent them from happening.
When water freezes, it expands, which can create pressure in your pipes and cause them to burst. So your pipes can potentially burst when temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the time it will take for them to burst depends on just how cold it is and for how long.
Pipes can freeze in as little as six to eight hours, meaning they can freeze overnight. If the outside temperature is below 32 degrees F and your pipes are unprotected, your chances for a frozen pipe increase.
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.
Pipes are most likely to burst when exposed to below-freezing conditions for six hours or more, which can happen throughout winter and early spring. Burst pipes could lead to a disaster, bringing severe water damage to your home.
When pipes are not insulated very well or they aren't being used, and have no heating source, the water in the pipes will begin to freeze. If you leave pipes to freeze, it is more than likely that after An extended period of time they will begin to crack and inevitably burst.
The temperature of the pipe
If the temperature falls to 32 degrees or lower, your pipes are likely to freeze.
Make sure there are no gaps at bends, valves or fittings. Pay special attention to water tanks and pipes in unheated areas like loft spaces and garages, and check insulation in any property likely to be unoccupied for long periods. Fix dripping taps – even a small trickle can result in a frozen pipe.
Hunt for Puddles
Random puddles near plumbing fixtures are a telltale sign of a water leak or a burst pipe. Start your search with exposed pipes, underneath sinks, and in the basement. Move from there to the upper floors and corners of the bathrooms and kitchen.
If a pipe is frozen, there is already about a 50% chance it has cracked. Call a professional immediately if you spot any of these signs, Emerson suggests: A bulge or crack in a pipe with ice seeping out is a clear indication of a burst pipe. Frost on the outside of a pipe.
Frozen pipes can burst in cold weather – causing cost, stress and damage. But you can avoid the trouble and expense by protecting your pipes from the cold. Lagging your pipes is cheap, easy and could save you from dealing with a burst in your home!
Even so, outside temperatures generally have to fall to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit or below before your pipes will freeze or burst due to freezing. Still, you might not want to wait for temperatures to fall that low before taking precautions to protect your pipes from freezing.
The average home will stay warm for 8-12 hours after the power goes out. After the first 8-12 hours, most homes will experience a gradual cooling over the course of the next couple of days.
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 can freeze at 32 degrees or below, but it will take a sustained period of time for this to happen. In other words, a pipe needs to be at freezing temperatures for at least half a day before homeowners have to worry about any freezing occurring.
If you think a pipe is frozen, don't wait for nature to take its course: Thaw the pipe as soon as possible or call a plumber for help. If you thaw it yourself, shut off the water or test the shut-off valve.
Leave the heating on to keep pipes from freezing
One of the main causes of frozen pipes is inadequate heating or switching the heating off completely when your holiday home is empty during cold snaps. While turning the heating off will save money in terms of fuel bills, it's a false economy.
Apply heat to the section of the pipe that is frozen.
This can be done by wrapping an electronic heating pad around the pipe, heating the area with a hair dryer or both. If you lack either of these items, using towels soaked in hot water will help 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.
As a general rule, temperatures outside must drop to at least 20 degrees or lower to cause pipes to freeze.