Do Copper Pipes Freeze and Can You Prevent It?
Protect your pipes this winter
Highlights
Copper pipes can freeze when temperatures drop below 20 degrees F.
Copper is the most likely to freeze out of all the piping materials.
Prevent freezing with heating, insulation, and winterizing.
You may be able to thaw frozen copper pipes by applying heat.
Hire a pro to repair damaged frozen plumbing, which can be dangerous.
You’re spending a cozy night in with a hot bowl of soup, but when you turn on the faucet to wash your veggies … nothing—just a weird gurgling noise. Instantly, you know you have a big problem on your hands.
That's right. Your copper pipes may have frozen. And that means no running water, or at least very little of it. It could also mean your pipes are at risk of bursting, and that could be a long-term issue and expensive fix. This guide will help you determine if your copper pipes are truly frozen, how to fix them, and how to keep this problem from happening again.
Do Copper Pipes Freeze?
Yes, copper pipes—like all types of plumbing—do freeze when outdoor temperatures drop. In fact, copper pipes can freeze in both cold and warmer climates as long as temperatures get low enough. Proper preventive maintenance can help reduce the risk of frozen copper pipes and the potentially expensive damage a burst pipe can cause to your home.
Is PEX Better Than Copper for Freezing?
Copper pipes are more likely to freeze than other types of pipes, such as cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipes. This is because copper is a conductor of energy, meaning the heat that travels through the pipes is quickly lost. As a result, copper pipes might have trouble handling a sudden surge of cold weather. Learn more about the difference between copper pipes and PEX pipes here.
At What Temperature Do Copper Pipes Freeze?
While 32 degrees Fahrenheit is the temperature at which water freezes, that's not necessarily the temperature at which pipes freeze. That's because indoor pipes are protected from the outdoors by insulation.
Typically, it takes outdoor temperatures of 20 degrees Fahrenheit or lower to freeze your pipes. It may take even lower temperatures than that in northern climates that are used to the cold and have better insulation. Pipes in the home's exterior walls or relatively uninsulated areas like an attic or a basement are the most at risk for freezing.
Signs You Have Frozen Copper Pipes
So how do you know if your copper pipes have frozen? You've probably noticed one of the following issues:
Poor water flow: Water isn't coming out with the usual pressure when you turn on a faucet or try to run the shower.
Different temperatures: You’ve noticed a shift in your water temperature.
Frost on the pipes: Check your pipes for visible signs of frost.
Bulges: Your pipes are starting to bulge, indicating the water inside has frozen. This is a sign that your pipe is dangerously close to bursting, so call an emergency plumber near you.
Strange noises: You hear gurgling sounds within the pipes, indicating ice movement.
Nasty smells: When pipes freeze, so does your sewer line.
Tips to Prevent Frozen Copper Pipes
If you've experienced frozen copper pipes once, you don't want to experience them again. A frozen pipe can burst, disrupting your life with flooding and water damage, resulting in a costly problem. Here are a few things you can do to prevent this situation from happening again.
Drain Your Pipes
If water is sitting in your pipes, it may freeze. To prevent this, make sure those pipes are clear if you've got cold weather on the way. To do so, shut off your home's main water valve and turn on all the fixtures until the water stops running. That includes pipes that feed sprinklers, hoses, and the pool.
If needed, use an air compressor to force the water out. Draining these pipes should be part of your efforts to winterize outdoor plumbing around your home each year.
Get Good Insulation
Have an insulation professional look at your home and make recommendations for insulating the area where you have your pipes—or just your home in general. Common copper pipe insulation materials include foam insulation tubes and fiberglass wrap. Both these fixes may be relatively minor but could save you headaches. It could also make your home a lot more comfortable to live in.
Keep Faucets Dripping When It's Cold
By keeping water flowing, you make it harder for pipes to freeze. While you don't want to waste water, even a dripping faucet can be helpful, so turn it on a smidge if you're in the midst of a brutal cold snap.
Keep the Heat Running
You don't want to waste energy by blasting heat while on vacation. But if you keep the thermostat above 50 degrees Fahrenheit during the colder months, you can reduce the likelihood of your pipes freezing. Ensuring your home is at a constant temperature will help protect pipes even in uninsulated spaces.
Shut Water Off
If you're planning on being gone for an extended period of time, shut the main water off and open the faucets. Doing both will decrease the likelihood you will find frozen or even burst pipes when you return in case of a sudden cold snap. You can shut the main water off yourself by accessing the home's main water valve.
How to Thaw a Frozen Copper Pipe
If you have a frozen copper pipe in your home, don't panic. As long as there are no leaks, you may be able to thaw the pipe before it bursts and causes serious damage. Act quickly and take the following steps to thaw a frozen copper pipe. If your pipe has already burst, immediately call a plumber.
Turn Your Faucet On
The faucet must be on for your pipes to clear as they thaw. With the faucet open, water will move through the pipes and help with the thawing.
Apply Heat to the Frozen Pipes
Wrap an electronic heating pad around the area that appears frozen or use a hair dryer. Even hot towels may do the trick. Proceed with caution if you use a space heater, and make sure to use a gradual heat setting and supervise the process to avoid any damage. Do not use an open flame under any circumstances.
Safety should be paramount when you do this job. If you think you need help to do it safely or effectively, hire a pro to handle the situation.
Monitor the Situation
Do not leave the pipes unattended. Continue to watch the flow of water until things return to normal, then remove whatever heating device you have on the pipes. If you've been trying for hours and it's not working, it may be time to contact a professional.
Can You Repair Frozen Copper Pipes Yourself?
If your pipes are frozen but haven’t burst, you don't necessarily have to hire a plumber to fix the problem. If you have easy access to the pipes and no obvious damage, this is potentially a do-it-yourself fix. Slowly and carefully follow the steps above to thaw a frozen pipe, and always call a plumber right away if you aren’t having success or don’t feel like you can complete the job safely.
How Much Does It Cost to Repair or Replace Copper Pipes?
If your pipes burst, expect to pay an average of $1,100 if you have to replace a small section of piping. The typical range is $360 to $1,870.
If the problem is much more widespread than that, you may need to pay between $1,500 and $15,000 or more. If the issue affects one fixture, like a toilet or bathtub, expect to pay around $600 to $1,600 per fixture. From a square footage standpoint, replacing and rebuilding copper piping costs about $4.50 per square foot.
Should I Hire a Plumber to Fix My Frozen Copper Pipes?
When it comes to repairing damaged pipes, it's generally not a good idea to mess around with them. It can be dangerous, and you may cause more damage by trying to fix the problem. Find a plumber who can come to your home, examine your pipes, and recommend a course of action. They will usually provide you with a quote as well so you can make the most informed decision.
D.P. Taylor contributed to this piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, copper pipes can freeze, crack, and burst in cold weather. In fact, of all piping types used for plumbing, copper pipes burst most easily when frozen. This is because copper conducts energy and loses heat more quickly than other types of plumbing. Copper also won't expand when the water inside freezes. Instead, it bursts or splits to accommodate expanding frozen water.
PEX piping is better than copper for cold weather. Copper pipe freezing happens far more easily than PEX pipes freezing. PEX is freeze-resistant and able to expand slightly when the water inside freezes. That said, if the weather gets cold enough, PEX pipes will still freeze. If they freeze and thaw repeatedly, the PEX material will weaken and make a burst more likely.
Yes, you should insulate your copper pipes to help regulate their temperature. Well-insulated copper pipes will be protected from freezing and can conserve energy by keeping hot water warm for longer. Foam rubber insulation tubes are the best pipe insulation to prevent freezing since they fit tightly around the pipes while still maintaining some flexibility.