Wisconsin often experiences deep freezes where the temperatures can plummet to -20°F or below. Having your furnace suddenly give out in this type of situation is a nightmare scenario, as furnace failure and frozen pipes often go hand in hand. The real danger generally isn’t the air inside the house getting too cold. Instead, it’s that without ambient heat, the water in pipes inside exterior or uninsulated walls can freeze in as little as four to six hours.
Why Frozen Pipes Are a Plumbing Nightmare
Water expands when it freezes. This expansion causes the water to exert pressure, which can cause pipes to split or burst. Copper and PVC pipes are at the most risk of splitting when frozen. PEX piping is less rigid and can expand more, but it can still get damaged if the water inside it freezes solid.
A frozen pipe splitting can be a disaster, in large part because you usually won’t know it happened until it gets warm enough for the ice to melt. Once the pipe thaws, water will then start rushing out and flooding the entire area. If you don’t immediately close the main water shut-off valve, thousands of gallons of water can flood your house. The fact that your furnace isn’t running also means that all of the water that leaks out can quickly freeze and cover everything in a thick layer of ice.
Immediate Action: The “Faucet Drip” Rule
One question plumbers frequently get in heating emergencies is “how to prevent pipes from freezing without heat?” This is certainly a challenge, especially if it’s extremely cold outside and your furnace doesn’t run for hours. That said, there are some basic steps that can lessen the risk of your pipes freezing.
The first thing to do is open faucets and showers so that they slowly drip and water keeps moving through the pipes. As long as the water is moving, it is much less likely to freeze. Opening the faucets also reduces the risk of a pipe splitting, as it relieves pressure in the plumbing system. Another thing you should do is open the cabinet doors under all of the sinks. This allows the remaining residual heat in the house to circulate around the pipes so that they don’t get as cold. You can also insulate exposed pipes to lessen the risk of freezing.
Make sure to keep an eye on pipes in vulnerable locations and act quickly if you notice they are about to freeze. You can use hair dryers on gentle heat to thaw freezing pipes.
The Vulnerable Spots: Basements and Crawlspaces
Even if the upstairs part of the house doesn’t feel too cold, the pipes in the colder basement or crawlspace or those within exterior walls may already be at risk of freezing and breaking. The extreme winds we often experience in Rhinelander during the winter can accelerate freezing in these vulnerable areas.
Portable Heat: The Safety Warning
Space heaters can be a temporary solution for keeping your plumbing warmer, but getting your furnace running again as soon as possible should always be the main priority. The concern with space heaters is that they can be a major fire hazard due to how hot they get. As such, it’s important to only use them in open areas away from walls, furniture, and other items.
You should never use any type of portable gas-burning heater indoors, as they produce carbon monoxide and can lead to fatal carbon monoxide poisoning.
Why You Need Fast Service
If your furnace won’t turn on in a winter emergency, it’s crucial that you immediately contact a local HVAC service. With how cold it can get in Northern Wisconsin, a furnace failure is an emergency that poses a serious threat to your property and belongings.
When you need emergency HVAC service, Frasier’s Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical is the company to call. We’ve been serving Wisconsin homeowners for more than 100 years, and our experienced team is here to help with furnace failures or any other HVAC or plumbing emergency. We also provide 24/7 service to members of our Service Partner Program.
We offer expert furnace repair and burst pipe services and will respond to your call as soon as possible. Enrolling in our Service Partner Plan is a great way to ensure your home’s most important systems get the maintenance they need to keep them in top condition. As a plan member, you also won’t have to pay any emergency fees and will receive a 10% labor and parts discount on all repairs.
A failed furnace is a ticking time bomb for your plumbing. If your furnace goes out, contact the experts at Frasier’s for emergency heating repair to protect your home from water damage.
FAQs
How cold does it have to be for pipes to freeze?
Pipes can freeze any time the surrounding area is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but the risk is much greater at temperatures of 20 degrees or lower. If your furnace goes out, it doesn’t even need to be below freezing inside your house for pipes to freeze. Without heat, pipes in exterior walls will quickly become much colder than the temperature inside the house.
Can I use a hair dryer to thaw pipes?
Yes. A hair dryer can be a safe and effective way to thaw a frozen pipe, but you don’t want to put it directly against the pipe. Trying to thaw a pipe with a torch or any other type of open flame is never recommended due to the risk of damage.
What should I do if a pipe actually bursts?
If a pipe bursts, you need to immediately close the main water shut-off valve to prevent major flooding. The valve is located on the main water line in the basement or crawl space near the water meter. If the valve is stuck, you’ll need to call the water department’s emergency number to have them shut off your water from the street.
