How Long Will it Take for My Pipes to Freeze Without Heat?

The rule of the thumb is that it takes roughly 6-hours for water in your pipe to freeze after left in an unheated area. Meaning if you lose power at your home and the weather is reaching below freezing point, you have approximately 6-hours until the pipes will begin to freeze. 

Repairing frozen pipes can be expensive and can run as high as a few thousand dollars. Taking a proactive step and adding pipe insulation to ensure they are properly insulated makes sense. This can make all the difference versus risking burst pipes due to freezing temperatures.

Can Pipes Still Freeze if the Water is Turned Off?

If pipes are not properly drained it is possible for them to freeze even if they have not been used in a while. When water freezes it expands causing a little water to massively increase in pressure resulting in the pipe bursting.

What Temperature Will My Pipes Freeze?

Freezing generally occurs when the temperature reaches 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Pipes normally freeze when the temperature goes below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Winterize plumbing pipes is a good step to take. Here are a few quick tips to help prevent your pipes from freezing:

  • Keep the garage door closed to help keep in as much heat as possible.
  • Turn the faucets on to allow a small drip when the temperature is below 20 degrees.  This allows the water to run through the pipes and help prevent sitting water from freezing.
  • Keep the thermostat at the same temperature during the night and day.
  • Add insulation to your pipes to help prevent them from bursting.

These steps can help prevent your pipes from freezing and costly repairs. If you have any questions or need assistance with plumbing issues inside your home contact your licensed Greenville plumber Premier Plumbing today at 864-444-6570!

Recent Posts

We and selected third parties use cookies or similar technologies for technical purposes and, with your consent, for other purposes. You can consent to the use of such technologies by using the “Accept” button, by closing this notice, by scrolling this page, by interacting with any link or button outside of this notice or by continuing to browse otherwise.