How to Prevent and Handle Frozen Pipes in the Winter

Brrr! Bone-chilling winter weather is simply part of the deal if you’re a Chicago homeowner. We’re talking sub-zero temps, biting winds, and enough snow to make you cry. But as rough as those subzero temps can be, there’s something even more miserable than defrosting your windshield at 6am: discovering your pipes have frozen over.

Yep, that dreaded ice blockage in your pipes is practically a rite of passage for homeowners in these parts. One second everything’s flowing fine, the next you’re staring down a burst pipe nightmare with water spewing all over the basement.

Look, frozen pipes are no joke – they can lead to crazy expensive repairs and water damage nightmares. That’s why every savvy Chicago homeowner needs to be prepared to prevent and properly handle any ice buildup in those pipes. We’re talking insulation, heating tactics, and knowing the first signs of trouble.

Let’s get ahead of those frozen pipe woes before Jack Frost works his magic this year! We’ll walk through all the tips and tricks for keeping your pipes toasty and your home high and dry, no matter how low the mercury drops.

Understanding How Pipes Freeze

Alright, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how those pipes actually turn into ice cubes in the first place.

Basically, when temps drop below freezing, the water inside your pipes starts to freeze over and expand. As it expands, it puts crazy amounts of pressure on the metal or plastic pipes until – bam! They burst open like a busted fire hydrant. One second you’ve got a normal pipe, the next you’re ankle-deep in a Category 5 water event.

The areas most at risk for this are any pipes running along exterior walls, up in the attic, or down in the unheated basement. Those exposed pipes have zero insulation to protect them from the deep freeze. But even pipes tucked away inside insulated interior walls can fall victim if it gets cold enough for long enough.

Once that ice blockage forms and cuts off water flow, the backed-up pressure has nowhere to go but out through a crack or burst somewhere in the line. And when that happens, you’ll have a flood messing up your dry basement. We’re talking waterlogged drywall, soaked insulation, and a serious musty smell you can’t get rid of. Not a fun time!

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in the Winter

Okay, now that we’ve covered how pipes turn into ice sculptures, let’s talk about game plans for keeping them toasty all winter long. A little preventative maintenance goes a long way in the battle against frozen pipe disasters.

Insulate Exposed Pipes

For any pipes running along exterior walls, up in the attic, or down in that cramped crawl space, wrapping them in insulation sleeves or heat tape is a must. This adds an extra layer of protection from the deep freeze. In older Chicago homes especially, these exposed pipes are ticking time bombs once temps really drop.

Seal Gaps and Cracks

While you’re at it, do a lap around your place and seal up any drafty gaps or cracks near pipes, windows, and exterior walls. Use some heavy-duty caulk to plug holes where cold air sneaks in. Making sure your insulation is doing its job is key.

Keep the Heat On

When a brutal cold snap hits, don’t try to save a few bucks on your heating bill. Keep that thermostat set at a nice, consistent temp – at least 65°F or higher if possible. And open up cabinet doors in bathrooms and kitchens so warm air can circulate around plumbing tucked away inside.

Allow Faucets to Drip

If you’ve got a faucet on an exterior wall or in a part of your home that always feels frigid, letting it slowly drip during extreme cold can be a smart move. That constant water movement helps relieve pressure buildup that leads to frozen pipes.

Use Heating Devices Safely

For problem areas like basements or garages, you may need to bring in supplemental heat like a space heater. Just be smart about it – keep those heating devices on a level surface away from anything flammable. You don’t want to burn your house down trying to avoid a pipe mishap!

How to Recognize Frozen Pipes

Of course, even if you take all the right preventative steps, that sneaky Jack Frost can still find a way to ice over your pipes when you least expect it. Knowing the warning signs can help you catch one of those frozen pipe situations early before it really hits the fan.

The first red flag is usually when you turn on a sink and little to no water comes out. Or maybe there’s just a slow, icy trickle instead of that normal steady flow. That’s a pretty good indicator that a pipe has gotten itself frozen somewhere along the line, blocking up the water.

Another telltale sign that you could be dealing with frozen pipes is weird noises coming from the pipes. Pipes tend to make knocking or clanging sounds as the water tries to make its way through that ice blockage.  It sounds like someone’s banging on the pipes with a wrench. You might also notice frosting or condensation buildup on visible pipes.

If you think you’re dealing with a potential frozen pipe situation, it’s time to play plumber detective. Check any exposed pipes along exterior walls, or pipes in unheated areas like crawlspaces, attics, or garages. Follow that pipe line back as far as you can and keep your eyes peeled for any super cold spots where ice might be forming up.

The sooner you can locate the probable frozen area, the better your odds of thawing it out before it really bursts open. But if you just can’t seem to find the problem pipe or it’s in a totally inaccessible spot, might be time to call in the pros for backup. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to frozen pipe disasters!

Steps to Handle Frozen Pipes

Alright, so what do you do if you’ve got a frozen pipe situation? Remember, time is of the essence. Here’s the game plan for getting that water flowing again before it turns into a total plumbing meltdown:

Shut Off the Main Water Supply

First things first – locate your home’s main water shut-off valve and turn it off ASAP. This will stop any more water from trying to make its way through those frozen pipes and building up crazy pressure that could cause a burst. Trust us, you do not want to be dealing with a busted pipe flood on top of this mess.

Thaw Frozen Pipes

With the water supply killed, you can focus on thawing out that ice blockage. If the frozen area is accessible, you can try aiming a hair dryer, heat lamp, or even a toasty heating pad at the pipe to slowly melt the ice. Just avoid using any kind of open flame – you don’t want to start a fire on top of everything else!

For pipes tucked away behind walls or in tight spaces, you’ll need to crank up the heat in that area as much as possible. Open up any cabinets to allow warm air flow, and consider bringing in a portable space heater if needed. Just be smart about it and keep an eye on things so nothing combustible gets too hot.

Check for Damage

Once you’ve got that water flowing again, it’s inspection time. Slowly turn the main supply back on and keep an eye out for any visible leaks, cracks, or water stains along the pipe line that could indicate damage. If you do spot anything suspect, it’s best to call in a professional plumber to take a closer look and make any necessary repairs.

The last thing you want is to go through all that work thawing the pipes only for a slow leak to refreeze and start this whole nightmare over again. When it comes to frozen pipe disasters, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Get it taken care of right to avoid repeated headaches down the line.

When to Call a Professional

We all like to try some DIY action when plumbing issues pop up. But you also have to know when to wave the white flag and call in the experts before things go from bad to catastrophic.

If you’ve diligently tried all the thawing tricks in the book – hair dryers, space heaters, the works – and that pipe still won’t cooperate, it’s probably time to quit while you’re ahead. Persistently messing with a severely frozen pipe is just asking for trouble. Those things can crack or burst under all that built-up pressure when you least expect it.

Speaking of bursts, if you ever straight-up hear a pipe explode or walk into an active gushing situation, that’s an emergency no questions asked. Don’t even try any DIY heroics – just shut off the main water supply immediately and get on the phone with a 24/7 plumber ASAP. Dealing with a burst pipe flood on your own is a recipe for disastrous water damage that’ll cost way more in the long run.

This is also true if you notice any alarmingly large leaks, major cracks, or extensive water staining after thawing out pipes. Those could be signs of some serious underlying damage that needs professional eyes immediately. When in doubt, it never hurts to get an expert opinion.

At the end of the day, a little preventative plumbing insurance is better than having to deal with a full-blown frozen pipe catastrophe on your own.

Don’t Let Jack Frost Get the Best of Your Pipes This Winter

When the Windy City winter really starts howling, the last thing you need is an icy pipe predicament on your hands. From insulating exposed lines to strategically letting faucets drip, a little preventative TLC goes a long way. But if you do find yourself staring down a frozen pipe situation, know when to throw in the towel and call the professionals at Precision Today.

One call to (630) 425-8995 and our rapid-response plumbers will have that water flowing again before you know it. Don’t let Jack Frost leave you out in the cold – stay ahead of frozen pipe woes this season!