Frozen Pipes No Water: How to Prevent and Unfreeze

Frozen pipes can be a real nightmare, especially if you're not prepared. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures below 25°F (-4°C) can cause pipes to freeze.

Insulating your pipes is a simple and effective way to prevent them from freezing. You can use foam pipe insulation or heat tape to keep your pipes warm and safe.

If you're not sure where to start, consider identifying the most vulnerable areas in your home, such as pipes in unheated areas like the garage or basement.

Frozen pipes can be a real headache, but there are ways to prevent them from happening in the first place. One simple trick is to have your sprinkler system blown out before winter arrives.

Drain water from swimming pools and water sprinkler supply lines following the manufacturer's or installer's directions, and don't put antifreeze in these lines unless directed. Antifreeze is environmentally harmful and can be dangerous to humans, pets, wildlife, and landscaping.

Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor spigots before winter arrives, and open under-sink cabinets to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes. This can help prevent pipes from freezing in the first place.

To maintain higher temperatures, add insulation to attics, basements, and crawl spaces. This can help keep pipes from freezing, especially in areas where pipes are exposed to cold air.

Here are some additional tips to help prevent frozen pipes:

Before cold weather hits, it's essential to take some preventative measures to protect your pipes from freezing. Start by draining water from your swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines according to the manufacturer's or installer's directions. Don't put antifreeze in these lines unless directed, as it's environmentally harmful and can be hazardous to humans, pets, and wildlife.

Remove and drain hoses used outdoors, and store them carefully. Close the inside valves supplying outdoor hose bibs, and open the outside hose taps to allow water to drain. This will help prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.

Check around your home for other areas where water supply lines are located in unheated areas, such as the basement, crawl space, attic, garage, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Both hot and cold water pipes in these areas should be insulated to prevent freezing.

You can consider installing specific products made to insulate water pipes, like a "pipe sleeve" or UL-listed "heat tape", "heat cable", or similar materials on exposed water pipes. Pipes should be carefully wrapped, with ends butted tightly and joints wrapped with tape. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for installing and using these products. Newspaper can provide some degree of insulation and protection to exposed pipes.

Here's a quick checklist to help you prepare:

By taking these steps, you'll be well-prepared to face the cold weather and prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting.

To prevent frozen pipes, it's essential to take proactive steps. One of the simplest ways is to insulate exposed piping on external walls.

Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor spigots before winter arrives, and consider relocating exposed pipes to provide increased protection from freezing. This can be done during a home remodel, or by a professional.

Insulating pipes in cold areas can make a big difference. Wrap pipes with pipe insulation, and if an electrical outlet is nearby, use electrical heat tape and plug it in whenever cold weather arrives. This can be a game-changer for pipes in areas like the crawl space or attic.

Protect your home's crawl spaces from wind and cold air by checking for holes and repairing them. Use wind barriers or faucet covers to protect faucets and valves on the exterior of the house.

A trick to prevent pipes from freezing is to leave a trickle of water running during blizzards. This is because it's much more difficult for pipes to freeze if water is running through them.

Knowing where your main water shut-off valve is located is crucial in case of an emergency. It's usually found near the water meter or where the water line enters your home.

You should also have a plumber inspect it the next time they're on site. This is because the average cost to replace the main water shut-off valve is $500, according to Angi.

Gate valves are prone to sticking when you need them most, so consider switching to a more reliable ball valve if your home has an older gate-style valve.

If your faucets won't flow and your toilets won't refill following a flush, that's a good sign your pipes are frozen.

Frozen water pipes can be tricky to spot, but a water line coated in frost or bulging like a well-fed python is a clear indication that a pipe is frozen.

To confirm the location of the frozen pipe, test your faucets to see if water runs through all of them except one. If not, the dysfunctional faucet is likely the location of the frozen pipe.

If you're worried about frozen pipes, leaving all working faucets open slightly can help prevent further freezing and melt the ice.

If a large area of your house has no water, start by checking the most likely and accessible areas, such as exterior walls, which bear the most cold and are therefore the most likely location for frozen pipes.

To confirm busted pipes, search for cracks and leaks, as freezing water can cause pipes to crack from the change in pressure, usually splitting the pipe lengthwise or causing cracks in the joints.

If your house or basement is flooding, turn off the water valve and call 911. If there's no flooding but you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, make sure your main water valve is turned on. If it is, suspect a frozen pipe.

To thaw a frozen pipe, locate the suspected frozen area of the water pipe. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt more ice in the pipe.

You can thaw a frozen pipe slowly by applying heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove or other open flame device.

If you're unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible or if you cannot thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber. Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may also freeze.

Here are some safe methods to thaw a frozen pipe:

Remember to keep the faucet open while applying heat until full water pressure is restored.