Why do hot water pipes freeze before cold?
If the water is initially hot, cooled water at the bottom is denser than the hot water at the top, so no convection will occur and the bottom part will start freezing while the top is still warm. This effect, combined with the evaporation effect, may make hot water freeze faster than cold water in some cases.
It is a strange thing that hot water pipes freeze quickly than cold water pipes. By increasing the temperature of your house, you can attempt to unfreeze the frozen pipe. The development of ice cubes is more complicated because of high temperatures, and hot water pipes are more undoubtedly to crack.
Evaporation. One explanation of the effect is that as the hot water cools, it loses mass to evaporation. With less mass, the liquid has to lose less heat to cool, and so it cools faster. With this explanation, the hot water freezes first, but only because there's less of it to freeze.
Do hot water pipes burst more often than cold water pipes? Hot water pipes are more likely to burst because the initially higher temperature of the water in them makes the formation of ice crystals more difficult.
The temperature of the pipe
If the temperature falls to 32 degrees or lower, your pipes are likely to freeze.
If the water is initially hot, cooled water at the bottom is denser than the hot water at the top, so no convection will occur and the bottom part will start freezing while the top is still warm. This effect, combined with the evaporation effect, may make hot water freeze faster than cold water in some cases.
Apply heat to the section of the pipe that is frozen.
This can be done by wrapping an electronic heating pad around the pipe, heating the area with a hair dryer or both. If you lack either of these items, using towels soaked in hot water will help as well.
The Mpemba effect is not uniformly accepted as a proven scientific phenomenon. However, centuries of observation, plus recent work by Bechhoefer, Kumar, Lu, and Raz have convinced many physicists that under the right circ*mstances, hot water really can reach a freezing point faster than cold water.
Cold water boils faster than hot water.
It's a wonder it persists. There is, however, a good reason to use cold water instead of hot for cooking: hot water will contain more dissolved minerals from your pipes, which can give your food an off-flavor, particularly if you reduce the water a lot.
Fun Fact of the day: water can freeze and boil at the same time. It's a phenomenon called triple point, which occurs when the pressure and temperature are perfectly set for the three states of a substance—solid, liquid and vapour—to coexist in equilibrium.
Should I turn off my hot water heater if my pipes are frozen?
Frozen pipes can cut off your home's water supply and cause damaging leaks. In many cases, the help of a plumber is needed to resolve the problem. To prevent further damage, it is generally recommended that you turn off your main water supply valve and your water heater until repairs have been made.
Your pipes will eventually begin to thaw on their own once the temperatures rise above freezing. As they do so, you may begin to hear your pipes making gurgling, clanging, or banging sounds as the ice begins to move. The hot water heater may do the same.
If you think a pipe is frozen, don't wait for nature to take its course: Thaw the pipe as soon as possible or call a plumber for help. If you thaw it yourself, shut off the water or test the shut-off valve.
Pipes that freeze most frequently are: Pipes that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, and water sprinkler lines.
The rule of the thumb is that it takes roughly 6-hours for water in your pipe to freeze after left in an unheated area. Meaning if you lose power at your home and the weather is reaching below freezing point, you have approximately 6-hours until the pipes will begin to freeze.
It is recommended to leave the heating permanently on to maintain a minimum temperature of 13 degrees C. If your boiler runs on oil or LPG gas, ensure that you have enough fuel to heat your property over winter. You don't want to run out and find your supplier is unable to deliver due to severe winter weather.
If the hot water pressure is low, but the cold is fine: You may have sediment and limescale build-up in the pipes or faucet, or it could be caused by a partially closed or restricted shutoff valve.
With this in mind, expect most pipes to freeze within six to eight hours. Uninsulated exterior pipes can freeze in under six hours if the temperature is below 20 degrees. It takes at least 12 hours for unprotected pipes to freeze at 32 degrees.
Pour salt down frozen drain
Salt lowers the melting point of ice. Start with pouring a tablespoon of salt down the drain and then give it a few moments to start working.
If the pipes have frozen and burst, a plumber can fix them. If the pipes are frozen but have not burst, a plumber can remedy them by applying a heat gun to thaw them. For an interim solution, a homeowner could use a hair dryer to start the thawing process.
What is the Mamba effect?
The Mpemba effect is the name given to the observation that a liquid (typically water) which is initially hot can freeze faster than the same liquid which begins cold, under otherwise similar conditions. There is disagreement about its theoretical basis and the parameters required to produce the effect.
Cold water numbs your taste buds, he explained in an August 2020 video, which dulls the experience. It's kind of like singing the roof of your mouth with hot pizza — after that everything tastes meh.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Cold water does not boil faster than hot water, but hot water can freeze more quickly than cool water.
If you didn't realize this, you're not alone. Hot water systems like tanks and boilers contain metallic parts that corrode as time goes by, contaminating the water. Hot water also dissolves contaminants in pipes faster than cold water. And no, boiling the water does not make those contaminants (like lead) go away.
But tap water is not sterile, meaning it might have germs in it. Even when the public water system is working correctly, a small number of germs that naturally occur in the environment can still be in the water. These germs can grow and multiply in the pipes inside a home or building if the conditions are right.
MYTH: Salted water boils faster. TRUTH: Adding salt raises the boiling point of water (slightly), so it does make your water hotter, but it's not going to boil any faster. The amount of salt added is much too low to make a noticeable difference in your cooking time.
Boiling the water kills microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, or protozoans that can cause disease. Boiling makes the tap water microbiologically safe. How long should I boil the water? Bring tap water to a full rolling boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using.
So hot water is less dense than cold water. When you put the two together with the hot water on the bottom, the hot water rises to the top, mixing with the cold water along the way and creating purple water.
The triple point of water is 273.16 K, 0.01∘ C, or 32.018∘ F.
- A bulge or crack in a pipe with ice seeping out is a clear indication of a burst pipe.
- Frost on the outside of a pipe.
- A foul smell from the drain or faucet is a less-obvious warning sign. ...
- No water or a slow trickle when a faucet is used.
How do you unfreeze pipes so they don't burst?
Use a space heater, heat lamp, or hair dryer to thaw the frozen length of pipe. Wrapping freezing pipes with thermostatically controlled heat tape (from $25 to $61, depending on length) is also an effective way to quickly thaw a trouble spot. Don't thaw pipes using a propane torch, which presents a fire risk.
Burst pipes will need to be replaced and a plumber is best equipped to handle the job. The average hourly plumber rate is around $330, depending on where you live and the size of your job. As long as your frozen pipes haven't burst, a plumber will likely charge a flat fee of around $100 to thaw them out.
In order to thaw a pipe without damaging it, you will need to gradually apply heat to the affected area. There are several methods you can try, including a hair dryer, heat tape, or a space heater.
Fortunately, most DIY methods for unfreezing pipes gets the water flowing again in 30-40 minutes. You might be tempted to wait for the pipes to thaw out by themselves. But keep in mind: Depending on the weather, the process can take days.
Some pipes simply freeze faster than others. Copper pipes freeze faster than PEX piping, which has more freeze resistance than other piping. This is because copper is a good conductor of heat, so heat loss occurs faster.
The rule of the thumb is that it takes roughly 6-hours for water in your pipe to freeze after left in an unheated area. Meaning if you lose power at your home and the weather is reaching below freezing point, you have approximately 6-hours until the pipes will begin to freeze.
No matter the strength of a container, expanding water can cause pipes to break. Pipes that freeze most frequently are: Pipes that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, and water sprinkler lines.
Here's a list of ways to prevent freezing pipes in your home: Keep the thermostat at a minimum of 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure pipes are properly insulated. Keep water slowly flowing on outer wall faucets.
Pipe freezing kits make pipework repair and maintenance a doddle without needing to drain down entire systems. You can save up to 85% on time and save money with minimum disruption and reduce the potential of water spillage and property damage.
Its chemical structure allows for higher flexibility and pressure capabilities. And the plastic pipe's strength doesn't change in cold weather except in extreme temperatures. So when there's more pressure, PEX expands, meaning it will survive a high-pressure situation, like water freezing, longer than rigid pipes.
Will turning up the heat unfreeze pipes?
Turn Up the Thermostat
When the temperatures outside drop, increase your thermostat a few degrees so the heat circulates around your walled-in pipes to help unfreeze them.
Pipes can freeze in as little as six to eight hours, meaning they can freeze overnight. If the outside temperature is below 32 degrees F and your pipes are unprotected, your chances for a frozen pipe increase.
- Turn on the faucet. Keep it running. ...
- Apply heat to the frozen area. Slowly apply heat using a hair dryer. ...
- Continue to apply heat. Don't stop heating until full water pressure is restored. ...
- Check all faucets and prevent pipes from freezing in the future.
DURING freezing weather:
If you plan to be away from home for several days, shutting off the water can reduce the chances of broken pipes. Set your home heat to at least 55 degrees. Shut off water to the house and open all faucets to drain pipes; flush the toilet once to drain the tank, but not the bowl.
If the pipes have frozen and burst, a plumber can fix them. If the pipes are frozen but have not burst, a plumber can remedy them by applying a heat gun to thaw them. For an interim solution, a homeowner could use a hair dryer to start the thawing process.
When the water freezes, it expands and can split or break the pipes. This can cause a major problem when the pipes thaw. When they thaw, the water at full pressure comes through and can flood your home which can cause significant further damage.
If you wait for your pipes to thaw naturally, it can take hours, days, or even weeks before the temperature outside increases enough to fully unfreeze the pipes. Anticipating this change can be difficult and frustrating, especially if there are frequent weather shifts.
