If you live in St. Paul or Minneapolis, you know that winter here isn’t just a season, it’s an endurance sport. When the temperature plummets well below zero, your home’s plumbing faces a serious threat. Frozen pipes are more than just an inconvenience; they are one of the most expensive and messy disasters a homeowner can face. A single burst pipe can spill hundreds of gallons of water into your home in a matter of minutes.
At McQuillan Home Services, we have been serving the Twin Cities since 1883. We have seen firsthand the damage a Minnesota winter can do to plumbing systems. The good news is that with a little preparation and vigilance, you can keep your water flowing freely all season long. This guide will walk you through exactly how to prevent frozen pipes and what to do if the cold gets the better of your plumbing.
Why Do Pipes Freeze in Minnesota?
It comes down to simple physics. When water freezes, it expands. In a river or lake, ice has room to grow upward. Inside a rigid metal or plastic pipe, that expanding ice has nowhere to go. It pushes against the pipe walls with immense pressure, enough to split copper, PVC, and steel.
In the Twin Cities, our deep freezes can penetrate walls and foundations quickly. If the water inside your pipes stops moving and the temperature around the pipe drops below freezing, ice blocks form. These blocks not only stop water flow but can also cause the pipe to burst at its weakest point.
Which Pipes Are Most at Risk?
Not all plumbing is created equal when it comes to cold weather. The pipes most likely to freeze are those exposed to severe cold or located in unheated areas of your home.
- Outdoor hose bibs: These are directly exposed to the elements.
- Supply lines in unheated areas: Check your basement, crawl space, attic, and garage.
- Pipes in exterior walls: Plumbing that runs through walls facing the outdoors is highly vulnerable, especially if the insulation is old or thin.
- Under-sink pipes: Pipes in kitchen or bathroom cabinets located against outside walls often get too cold because the cabinet doors block the room’s heat.
How Can I Prepare My Home Before Winter Hits?
The best defense is a good offense. Taking these steps before the first deep freeze can save you thousands of dollars in repairs.
- Disconnect garden hoses: Remove, drain, and store all outdoor hoses. Close the inside valves supplying outdoor hose bibs and open the outside faucet to let it drain.
- Insulate exposed pipes: Go into your basement, attic, or crawl space and look for exposed pipes. Wrap them with foam pipe insulation or heat tape. This is an easy, low-cost DIY project that offers high protection.
- Seal leaks: Look for cold air drafts near your plumbing. Check around dryer vents, windows, and pipes entering the house. Seal these gaps with caulk or insulation to keep the cold air out.
- Locate your main shut-off valve: In an emergency, you need to know how to shut off the water to your whole house fast. It is usually located in the basement near the water meter. Tag it so every family member can find it.
What Should I Do During a Cold Snap?
When the forecast in Minneapolis and St. Paul predicts sub-zero temperatures, you need to take active measures to protect your plumbing.
- Keep the thermostat consistent: It might be tempting to lower the heat at night to save money, but during extreme cold, you should keep the temperature the same day and night. This keeps your walls warmer.
- Open cabinet doors: Open the cabinet doors under your kitchen and bathroom sinks. This allows the warm air from your home to circulate around the pipes.
- Let faucets drip: Moving water is much harder to freeze. Allow a faucet served by exposed pipes to drip cold water. A stream the width of a pencil is usually sufficient.
- Keep garage doors closed: If you have water supply lines in your garage, keep the doors closed as much as possible to retain heat.
How Do I Know if My Pipes Are Frozen?
Sometimes you can catch a frozen pipe before it bursts. Watch for these warning signs:
- No water flow: If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle or no water comes out, you likely have a blockage.
- Frost on pipes: Visible frost on exposed pipes is a clear sign the pipe is frozen.
- Strange smells: If the pipe is blocked, odors from the drain cannot escape properly and may back up into your home.
- Bulging pipes: If you see a pipe that looks swollen or distorted, it is under extreme pressure.
What Steps Should I Take if a Pipe Freezes?
If you suspect a pipe is frozen, act immediately. Time is of the essence to prevent a rupture.
- Shut off the water: Turn off the main water valve immediately. If the pipe has already burst, this stops the flooding. If it hasn’t, it reduces pressure.
- Open the faucet: Open the faucet connected to the frozen pipe. As you thaw the ice, the water needs a path to flow out.
- Apply gentle heat: Use a hair dryer, a heating pad, or towels soaked in hot water to warm the pipe. Start from the faucet end and work your way back toward the frozen section.
- Never use open flames: Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene heater, or open flame device. This is a fire hazard and can damage the pipe.
- Call a professional: If you cannot locate the frozen area, or if the pipe has already burst, call McQuillan Home Services immediately.
Why Choose McQuillan Home Services?
We are “Minnesota’s Original” home service provider. Since 1883, generations of Twin Cities homeowners have trusted us with their plumbing. We know these homes, and we know this weather.
- Upfront Pricing: You will never pay more than you are quoted.
- Same-Day Service: We understand that a frozen pipe is an emergency.
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee: We aren’t happy until you are happy.
- Local Experts: Our technicians are licensed, certified, and trained to handle the specific plumbing challenges of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Conclusion
Don’t let a frozen pipe ruin your winter. By taking a few preventative steps, you can keep your home safe and dry. However, if the worst happens, you don’t have to face it alone. McQuillan Home Services is here to help with fast, professional frozen and burst pipe repair.
Contact McQuillan Home Services today to schedule your service. Let us keep your home safe this winter!
How to Prevent Frozen Pipes: Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for pipes to freeze without heat?
In temperatures of 20 degrees Fahrenheit or below, uninsulated pipes can freeze in as little as four to five hours if there is no heating source or water movement.
Does insurance cover burst pipes?
Typically, homeowners’ insurance covers water damage from burst pipes if the damage was sudden and accidental. However, if the insurance company determines the freezing was due to negligence, like turning off the heat while you were on vacation, they may deny the claim. Always check your specific policy.
At what temperature should I drip my faucets?
You should start dripping your faucets when outside temperatures drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or if you have had issues with frozen pipes in those specific areas before.
Can I thaw a frozen pipe myself?
Yes, if the pipe has not burst and you can access it. Use a hair dryer or heating pad. However, if the pipe is behind a wall or you are unsure, it is safer to call a professional plumber to avoid causing more damage.
Why do pipes burst when they thaw?
Pipes actually burst because of the pressure caused by ice expansion while freezing. However, the leak often isn’t discovered until the ice begins to thaw and the water starts flowing out of the crack that was created.
