Winter is coming, and that means it’s time to get ready for the most dreaded season of all: frozen pipes.
If you have ever had a frozen pipe, then you know how awful it can be and how much damage it can cause. You might also know how expensive it is to repair them and how long it takes to thaw them out.
But there are ways you can prevent your pipes from freezing and keep them from breaking. In this article, we will discuss some causes and signs of an air conditioner frozen pipe outside and give some tips so that you are prepared when winter comes around again next year!
How Pipes Freeze Up?
Frozen pipes can be a real pain in the drain. Whether you’re trying to get ready for the holidays or just getting by on everyday life, a frozen pipe can make it hard to keep your home running smoothly.
But why do pipes freeze up in the first place? If you know what causes it, you’ll be better prepared for the next time it happens. So here are some causes of ac pipe frozen in winter:
Temperature
If the temperature outside is down to 32 degrees Fahrenheit, your pipes may freeze.
Insufficient insulation
Pipes that are poorly insulated or not properly enclosed could freeze in cold weather.
Exterior wall exposure
If your home has an exterior wall, it’s likely that the coldest part of your house is the outside walls. These walls are exposed to the wind and are not insulated by a layer of warm air like an interior wall is. This makes them vulnerable to freezing temperatures.
If the outside temperature drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius), ice can form on the exterior walls and freeze your plumbing system.
Drafts and air leaks
Drafts are caused by air leaking into your home through cracks in windows or doors, vents, and other openings. The colder air coming into your home causes warmer air to escape from inside faster than it would otherwise. This creates a vacuum effect that sucks in even more cold air from outdoors—causing a loose pipe to freeze up!
Lack of use
If you’re not using your water, it’s possible that your pipes will freeze up. It’s best to keep some water running in your home even when you’re not using it. This can also help prevent clogs in your drains!
Exterior hose connections
If you have a hose connected outside and it’s exposed to the cold, it could freeze up and burst under pressure. Make sure all hoses are indoors, or run them through a heated area like an insulated shed or garage.
Signs of a frozen pipe
The winter season and the danger of frozen pipes are here. Sure, you can keep an eye out for signs of frost in your pipes, but there are other clues that can help you detect problems before they become a problem.
You see ice around your water faucet.
If your kitchen sink has ice around its faucet, it’s probably because water is leaking inside your wall behind it. This happens because the water in your house freezes and expands, cracking the pipe inside the wall and causing a leak. The only way to solve this problem is by calling a plumber to fix it for you!
You can hear loud noises coming from underneath your sink or toilet bowl (or even above it!).
If you hear strange noises coming from underneath your sink or toilet bowl (or even above it!), chances are that either your pipes are frozen, or there’s some other issue going on down there that needs fixing. Either way, this isn’t something that should be ignored! Call a professional plumber in London, KY, to inspect your pipes.
High energy bill
If your bill seems unusually high compared to last month (or even last year), this could be that there’s a leak somewhere in the system, and you need to fix your pipes immediately!
No water flow
If you’ve noticed a decrease in the amount of water coming out of your faucet, it could be because your pipes have frozen.
Strange odors
If you notice a fishy or earthy smell coming from your sink or tub, this could be a warning that your pipes are frozen.
Sudden temperature changes
If your house suddenly gets colder than usual and you don’t know why, it could be because the cold air is pooling and freezing the pipes.
Why is the air conditioner pipe frozen outside?
If the pipe of an air conditioner is frozen outside, it is likely due to one or more of the following reasons:
Insufficient airflow
If your air conditioner is operating in an area with insufficient airflow to keep it cool, it will freeze up and stop working. This happens most often when the unit is near a window that doesn’t have proper insulation. If you can’t find another place for it that has better airflow, try closing the window a little bit (but not enough to interfere with air circulation).
Low refrigerant levels
If the refrigerant levels in your AC unit are low or depleted, then ice crystals will form on the coils inside the machine and freeze them up, causing them to stop functioning until they’re replenished or replaced entirely by professionals HVAC repair experts like Kentucky Climate Control.
The thermostat settings
If your air conditioner is set to a low temperature, it will run continuously to keep your home at that temperature. However, if you’re not using the AC or if there’s no one home, the system can’t turn off even when it senses that the temperature has reached its desired level. This results in too much heat being generated and eventually freezing the pipes outside.
Defective components
If there is a defect in any of the components of your air conditioner, such as a leaky condenser coil, then this will result in an increase in energy use and an increase in heat production by your unit, which can cause it to freeze up outside.
How to thaw a frozen water pipe underground?
If you’re reading this, then you’re probably asking yourself: “How do I thaw a frozen water pipe underground?”
We’re here to help.
First of all, let’s get one thing straight: it’s not going to be easy. You’re going to have to put in some work if you want to get that pipe thawed out. But it can be done—and we’ll show you how!
Here’s how to thaw a frozen outside drain pipe:
1. Turn off the water supply to your house.
2. Open the faucet at the end of the pipe that’s frozen.
3. Try a hair dryer to thaw the frozen section of the pipe. Make sure to let any liquid leak out carefully—you don’t want it to freeze again!
4. Put on waterproof gloves and protective gear before you start digging because sharp glass or metal shards may be in the pipe.
5. Once you’ve opened up the frozen section, use a screwdriver or ice pick to chip away at any ice that remains in your pipe to ensure it’s clear and working properly again.
6. Turn your water supply back on and check for leaks!
7. Use a chisel to break up large chunks of ice that might be blocking the flow of water through your pipes. This task can be difficult if your hand gets cold or numb from working in cold weather conditions, so wear two pairs of gloves!
8. Once you’ve cleared away any large chunks of ice from around your pipes, use a heat gun or blow torch to melt any remaining smaller pieces that could cause blockages later on down the road (or even worse—bursting pipes!). If you don’t have one handy, just keep trying different ways until something works!
9. Wait for everything to thaw out before checking your water meter again (and then call an actual plumber in London, KY).
How to avoid frozen pipe?
Winter is coming.
If you don’t want to be left out in the cold, it’s time to start thinking about how to avoid frozen pipe underground. Here are six tips to keep your plumbing safe and sound:
Insulate pipes
If you’re going to have a pipe freeze, it’s best to stop it in the first place. Pipes exposed to cold outdoor air are much more likely to freeze than those insulated, so try to insulate pipes that run through unheated areas of your home. The easiest way to do this is by wrapping them in insulation, like foam or fiberglass insulation.
Seal air leaks
Air leaks can cause hot air from your furnace or water heater to escape into the cold air outside, making your house less insulated and more vulnerable to freezing pipes. To seal these leaks, check around windows and doors for gaps where warm air can escape into the cold outdoors—and then fill them with caulk or weatherstripping. This will help keep heat in during winter when temperatures drop below freezing outside and keep cool air out when summer hits triple digits inside your home!
Apply heating tape or cables.
This is the most common technique used by homeowners in London, KY, and the surrounding area and can be found at numerous hardware stores. The material heats up when plugged into an electrical outlet and applied directly to the pipe. It’s easy to use and affordable.
Keep interior temperatures consistent.
If you want to prevent a pipe from frozen in summer, try keeping the interior temperature of your home consistent throughout the day and night. A general rule of thumb is to set your thermostat at least 5 degrees higher than the outside temperature when you go to bed at night and at least five degrees lower than the outside temp when you wake up in the morning. This will help maintain consistent temperatures inside your home that are warmer than outside.
Open cabinet doors
If you have any cabinets full of stuff, open them. This helps to keep the heat in the room and out of your pipe.
Let faucets drip
It sounds counterintuitive, but letting the water drip out slowly will stay warmer longer. This will decrease the chance of freezing at night when no one is home.
Hire Plumber for Professional Repiping Solutions in London, KY!
If you’re still experiencing frozen pipes and need professional repiping services in London, KY, look no further than Kentucky Climate Control. We are the premier repiping company in the state of Kentucky, and we have over many years of experience in providing quality workmanship at an affordable price to our customers. Our professional repiping services include the following:
- Repiping
- frozen pipe repair
- Water line replacement
- Gas line replacement
- Water heater repair and installation
- Emergency plumbing service
We have the expertise and tools to get the job done right. We’ll work with you to find a solution that works for your needs and budget, whether that’s an expensive pipe replacement or a quick fix with our epoxy patching kit.
We offer professional Plumbing Services in London, KY, so you can be confident that a team of experts will take care of your pipes.
When you hire us, you’ll get the following:
– A free quote for your repair
– A fast response time from our highly trained staff
– A guarantee of our workmanship
Moreover, our technicians are all licensed plumbers with years of training, so when they arrive at your home or business, they will know exactly what to do to resolve your issue.
If you want to learn more about our plumbing services in London, KY, and surrounding areas, please call us today at (855) 482-2522!
