Signs of Frozen Pipes and What to Do

Across Massachusetts, the winter can bring icy weather and heavy snowfall. During this time, it’s common for pipe systems to freeze over, and freezing can affect water access and result in burst pipes. Here’s how you can check whether your pipes have iced over, how to address them and the best way to prevent this going forward.

How Can You Tell if Pipes Are Frozen?

Noting frozen pipes early can help you avoid expensive costs and structural damage, water damage and mold. You should worry about frozen pipes if you notice the following signs:

• You don’t have any water coming out of your taps and other fixtures. This can indicate a solidified water supply.
• The water from your fixtures trickles out as the supply is partly frozen
• Visible pipes have frost or bits of ice on them or are bulging.
• You notice pungent smells coming from your drains. When water freezes in your pipes, dirty water, waste, food and more cannot flow from garbage disposals, drains and other fixtures. This blockage sits and begins to smell.
• There is water damage or wet spots. If you notice paint bubbles or peeling wallpaper, moldy stains and smells, roof or wall sagging, or constant sounds of running water, you may have a burst pipe.

What to Do About Frozen Pipes

If you notice the above signs, the first thing you should do is call a pipe specialist or plumber. Although frozen pipes thaw on their own when temperatures climb again, they may cause structural issues the longer they’re frozen.

An experienced emergency plumber can advise you on ideal repairs and handle frozen pipes accurately and efficiently. While you wait for the plumber, you can also increase the temperature in the spaces where you suspect freezing. Use your thermostat or heater or turn on your furnace to increase the warmth, but don’t direct heat onto the pipes. Increase the temperature gradually to avoid sudden bursts or ice fractures that can compromise your pipe.

How Long Does It Take for Pipes to Freeze?

It takes 12 hours or longer for pipes to freeze at 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Although insulated pipes can withstand lower temperatures, they can also freeze below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

How Can You Prevent Pipes From Freezing?

Knowing when your pipes are more likely to freeze can help you take steps to prevent it in the future, like:

• Maintaining warm indoor temperatures as it gets colder.
• Keeping cabinet and interior doors open as temperatures drop to allow hot air to reach pipes around the house.
• Wrapping pipes that often freeze in electrical heating tape.
• Using self-regulating heating tape with a sensor that automates heating when pipes drop below a certain temperature.
• Installing insulated pipes or insulating your existing system.
• Insulating your attic, crawl space and other areas that house essential piping.
• Sealing cracks and gaps in walls, windows, entryways and structural foundations.

Keep Your Pipes and Property Safe This Winter