Frozen Pipes
With bitter cold average low temperatures in Northern Pittsburgh, (e.g. Cranberry Township and Wexford) at 20°F in January, here are some things to know and how to protect your home.
Why do pipes freeze?
Most solids and liquids contract when they cool down. Molecules slow down allowing them to move closer to each other. This process is called thermal contraction. 1 Water is one of the few exceptions to the normal laws of thermal contraction. Water contracts like other liquids up to 39°F. Between 39°F and 32°F water expands by about 9%; this is because of the structure of the water molecule. The hydrogen atoms want to pair up in a line between two oxygen atoms, with greater force at this temperature range. Due to less thermal energy keeping the hydrogen bonds moving out of place, a network of hydrogen bonds is created. When water completely turns to ice, it is hydrogen bonded with open area between the network of bonded atoms, taking up more space.2 The copper pipe contracts when cooled, contracting down on the ice forming inside the pipe. With nowhere else to go, the copper splits open to relieve the force the ice was causing.
Preventing Pipes from Freezing
Winterize Outside Faucet – First, take the hose off of hose bib/outside faucet. Next, turn the shut off valve off inside the house. Then, open the outside faucet and leave open to drain out (if you have an inside shut off valve). Last, insulate with protective foam cone insulator.
Sinks - Leave the farthest fixture from the water meter or well tank drip slowly. Slowly drip both hot and cold (Yes, hot water pipes can freeze too!). Open cabinet doors on sinks against an outside wall, and leave open to circulate air.
Close Garage Door – Even though pipes might not be exposed, they can be above the drywall behind insufficient insulation. Keeping garage doors closed during the winter can also make it easier on your furnace and keep down on pest control.
Thermostat – If you go away during winter months, do not turn your furnace down below 55°F.
Repairing Frozen Pipes
Patch - When pipes freeze and split, the quickest repair is to cut out and replace with new copper.
Thaw – If frozen section can be located, pipe can be thawed with heat gun or blow torch. If frozen section cannot be pin pointed, a thaw machine can thaw long sections of pipe at a time.
Reroute – If plumbing is susceptible to freezing each year, rerouting supply lines to a more ideal path in a heated space can be completed.
Upgrade – Copper in areas of potential freezing can be upgraded to Upunor. Upunor is a brand of pex that expands as the water inside freezes. With this pipe installed, the water lines still might freeze but not burst the pipe. 3
Contact us for all your frozen pipe needs!
Why do pipes freeze?
Most solids and liquids contract when they cool down. Molecules slow down allowing them to move closer to each other. This process is called thermal contraction. 1 Water is one of the few exceptions to the normal laws of thermal contraction. Water contracts like other liquids up to 39°F. Between 39°F and 32°F water expands by about 9%; this is because of the structure of the water molecule. The hydrogen atoms want to pair up in a line between two oxygen atoms, with greater force at this temperature range. Due to less thermal energy keeping the hydrogen bonds moving out of place, a network of hydrogen bonds is created. When water completely turns to ice, it is hydrogen bonded with open area between the network of bonded atoms, taking up more space.2 The copper pipe contracts when cooled, contracting down on the ice forming inside the pipe. With nowhere else to go, the copper splits open to relieve the force the ice was causing.
Preventing Pipes from Freezing
Winterize Outside Faucet – First, take the hose off of hose bib/outside faucet. Next, turn the shut off valve off inside the house. Then, open the outside faucet and leave open to drain out (if you have an inside shut off valve). Last, insulate with protective foam cone insulator.
Sinks - Leave the farthest fixture from the water meter or well tank drip slowly. Slowly drip both hot and cold (Yes, hot water pipes can freeze too!). Open cabinet doors on sinks against an outside wall, and leave open to circulate air.
Close Garage Door – Even though pipes might not be exposed, they can be above the drywall behind insufficient insulation. Keeping garage doors closed during the winter can also make it easier on your furnace and keep down on pest control.
Thermostat – If you go away during winter months, do not turn your furnace down below 55°F.
Repairing Frozen Pipes
Patch - When pipes freeze and split, the quickest repair is to cut out and replace with new copper.
Thaw – If frozen section can be located, pipe can be thawed with heat gun or blow torch. If frozen section cannot be pin pointed, a thaw machine can thaw long sections of pipe at a time.
Reroute – If plumbing is susceptible to freezing each year, rerouting supply lines to a more ideal path in a heated space can be completed.
Upgrade – Copper in areas of potential freezing can be upgraded to Upunor. Upunor is a brand of pex that expands as the water inside freezes. With this pipe installed, the water lines still might freeze but not burst the pipe. 3
Contact us for all your frozen pipe needs!
