At What Temperature Do Pipes Freeze?

Frozen pipes can be an awful obstacle to face in the winter. It means no warm showers, no cleaning your dishes or washing your clothes, and more. If a pipe bursts, it can also cost you thousands of dollars in water damage. Last year Texas saw a winter like never before. This year, we’re hoping you will be equipped to handle winter with this knowledge.

Weather To Watch Out For

Water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius), but that doesn’t mean your pipes will. If the temperature outside reaches 32 degrees, it is not a reason to sound the alarms; your home’s pipes and water should have the protection of insulation to help them run smoothly. This is why it’s crucial to check that your home is insulated correctly to help prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.

The weather you should keep an eye out for is when it becomes 22 degrees or lower outside for a total of six or more consecutive hours. If the proper preventative measures are not taken, the low temperatures can start to create a lot of damage in your home.

How To Prevent Frozen Pipes

There are several beneficial preventative steps you can take to help keep your pipes from freezing this winter:

• Turn off and cover outdoor faucets
• Let faucets run at a trickle during cold snaps to release pressure
• Inspect pipe insulation and update if needed (don’t use materials that can freeze themselves and then stick to the pipes!)

What To Do If Your Pipes Freeze and Burst

Even when you have the knowledge and time to prepare, things can still go wrong. So, what should you do if your pipes end up bursting this winter? The first step is to turn off your home’s main water valve; this will cease water flow in your house and prevent any more damage.

You should then get a professional on the phone to help fix the pipe that has burst. In the meantime, you can start to move boxes, clothes, and other items out of the water’s way, so they stay safe and don’t become moldy.

Repairing damaged pipes can seem like a daunting task, especially in the winter. But you are not alone, and we know exactly how to help.



For all of your winter plumbing needs contact Tom's Mechanical, Inc. at (972) 388-3669! We take pride in making sure our community feels taken care of.