Frozen Pipes: Reasons, Signs, Thawing, and Preventions

Written By Eric Winston - Plumbing Expert

A frozen pipe is a tube inside water that becomes iced due to a temperature decrease below 0° degrees Celsius. A frozen pipe can be identified by no water flowing inside the pipe, frost on the pipe surface, unusual sound and noise, bulging pipe, and visible cold spots on the walls.

A pipe can be frozen due to insufficient insulation around the pipe, exposure of the pipe to cold air continuously, sudden temperature drops, poor heating and lack of waterproofing around the pipe. Before the thawing process, you should locate the frozen pipe. Then, open the faucet end. Then, the heating is applied to the frozen area. After the pipe is unfreezed, you should keep the area warm.

If a pipe is continuously freezing, you should insulate the pipe, seal the gaps and space in the doors and windows where cool air tends to leak, maintain a proper interior temperature, allow water to drip slowly, and empty the pipe before winter and look for optional water supplies.

More than that, hot water pipes and AC pipes both can be frozen when there is no flow and are exposed to extreme cold temperatures over time. Hence, you should take suitable actions to prevent this problem and increase structural safety.

What is a Frozen Pipe?

A frozen pipe is a tube where inside water becomes iced due to lower temperature (32°F or 0°C). Pipes are tend to freeze during the winter season. The freezing rate of the pipe depends on the pipe material, diameter, enviromental temperature, water flow and pipe insulation. 1/2 inch pipes are quicker to freeze than larger diameter pipes. Frozen pipes interrupt the water flow, create the potential for mold growth, burst pipes, and make energy inefficient.

What are the 5 Signs of Frozen Pipes?

These 5 signs can be seen in the frozen pipes

1. No water flows through the pipe: A frozen pipe can be indicated by no water flowing inside the pipe.
2. Frost on the pipe: A frozen pipe can be identified by visible frost appearing on the outside of the pipe.
3. Unusual sound/noise: A frozen pipe can be observed by whistling or banging sounds from the pipes, or bubbling sounds when the water is turned on, suggesting pressure fluctuations.
4. Bulging pipes: A Frozen pipe can be detected by bulging pipes. Pipes appearing swollen at certain spots cause the pipe to expand outward and bursting the pipe in the process.
5. Cold spots on the walls: Frozen pipe can be identified by the areas on the walls. When you touch the wall you feel damp, and you can see rings or puddles on dry walls.

What are the Reasons for Frozen Pipes?

Below given are 5 reasons for frozen pipes.

1. Insufficient insulation around the pipe: Pipes can be frozen due to insufficient insulation around the pipe, opening the surface to the extreme cold temperature (below 0 degrees Celsius) conditions in the environment. Damaged insulation with inadequate protection also leads to frozen pipes, especially in areas like attics, basements, and crawl spaces.
2. Exposure of pipe to cold air continuously: Exposing pipes to cold air due to drafts and air leaks through windows and doors causes frozen pipes by reducing their temperature. Pipes running through exterior walls are also at a high risk of exposure to cold air, if the walls are not insulated.
3. Sudden temperature drops: Sudden temperature drops can cause pipes to freeze if they are not protected. When pipes are exposed to cold environmental conditions, pipe can be frozen and damaged by the busrting.
4. Poor heating of the pipe: Pipes can be frozen due to Inconsistent heating and poor heating systems in the house.
5. No waterproof in the pipe: Pipes can be frozen due to lack of waterproofing. Lack of waterproofing around the pipe allows moisture to penetrate, which can freeze and damage the pipes.

How to Thaw a Frozen Pipe?

Following are the 4 steps to thaw a frozen pipe.

1. Locate the frozen pipe: Find the exact location of the frozen pipe. It is important to know for the thawing process.
2. Open the faucet end: Allowing the faucet to drip even slightly can help prevent the pipe from bursting. Turning the faucet relieves the pressure buildup between the ice and the faucet.
3. Apply heat to the frozen area: Gradually apply heat to melt the ice slowly and reduce damage of pipe. You can use a warm towel to wrap around the pipe, a hair dryer or a heat lamp for a steady, controlled thawing process.
4. Keep the area warm: Once the pipe is thawed, insulate it. You should seal any drafts to keep the pipe area warm. Use a space heater for cold weather to prevent future issues.

How to Avoid Pipe Freezing?

You can avoid pipe freezing by following these 5 methods. It prevents the pipe damage and increases the structural integrity.

1. Insulate the water pipes: You can avoid pipe freezing by insulating pipes. Using insulations around the pipes helps to retain heat and reduce the risk of freezing. Insulated pipes provide a barrier between the cold air and the pipe, protecting vulnerable areas of the pipe.
2. Seal gaps and leaks in the doors and windows : You can prevent pipe freezing by sealing gaps and cracks around doors, windows, and walls to prevent cold air from reaching the pipes. Sealed gaps and spaces help to maintain a warmer environment around pipes.
3. Maintain interior temperature: You can stop pipe freezing by maintaining the inside temperature properly.
4. Allow water to drip slowly: You can allow water to drip slowly during the extreme cold weather conditions. It helps prevent pipe freezing and reduce damage to its structural integrity.
5. Empty the drain before winter: You can prevent pipe freezing by emptying the drainage before the winter season. Because remaining water can lead to frozen and burst of pipes,

Can a hot water pipe freeze?

Yes, hot water pipes can freeze. Hot water pipes can be frozen easily when they are poorly insulated, easily exposed to cold air, and located in unheated areas.

Can an AC pipe freeze?

Yes, an AC pipe also can freeze. AC pipes can be frozen due to poor airflow by dirty filters or blocked ducts, due to malfunctioning thermostats. Freezing of AC pipes leads to a reduction in cooling efficiency, potential damage to the AC unit, and increasing in energy consumption.

What Happens When a Pipe Freeze for a Long Time?

When a pipe is frozen for a long time, it causes the pipe to expand and burst the pipe due to higher pressure. This results in costly repairs and significant water damage in the house. Additionally, prolonged freezing causes mold growth and can lead to sanitation issues

When a pipe is frozen for a long time its water pressure can be reduced or it may stop the water supply. You can fix low water pressure pipe by using this guide easily.

What are the Water Damages of a Freeze pipe?

A Pipe can burst due to freezing and release large amounts of water that cause to flooding, which damages the structural components and personal belongings in the property.

Frozen pipes create excess moisture, leading to mold growth, which results in health issues and expensive remedies. Additionally, water damage increases the risk of fire hazards, due to damaging the electrical systems with water.