Every few winters, Birmingham gets a cold snap—temperatures dropping into the teens or lower for several days straight. When that happens, my phone starts ringing with frozen pipe calls, especially from homes built before 1980 that have pipes running through crawl spaces or along exterior walls.
The thing about Birmingham is that we're not built for extended freezes the way northern cities are. Our homes have pipes in places that would never fly in Chicago or Minneapolis. So when it does get cold enough to freeze pipes—which doesn't take as long as people think—we're vulnerable in ways those northern homes aren't.
Why Birmingham Pipes Freeze Differently
Pipes don't need to be exposed to freezing temperatures for very long to freeze solid. Here's what makes Birmingham homes particularly vulnerable:
Crawl Space Construction
Most Birmingham homes have crawl spaces rather than basements. These crawl spaces often have minimal or no insulation, and they have ventilation to the outside (as they should). But that means pipes running through the crawl space are basically exposed to outdoor temperatures.
Exterior Wall Pipes
Many Birmingham homes built before the 1980s have water supply lines running through exterior walls with minimal insulation. When temperatures drop and wind is blowing, those pipes cool down fast.
Outdoor Faucets and Hose Bibs
Older homes often have non-freezeproof outdoor faucets. Water sitting in these faucets and the short section of pipe behind them can freeze, and when it does, the pipe often bursts inside the wall where you can't see it until water starts spreading.
Prevention: What to Do Before the Freeze
When Birmingham's forecast shows temperatures dropping into the 20s or lower for an extended period, take these steps to protect your pipes:
Let Faucets Drip
Open faucets to a slow drip—about the thickness of a pencil lead. This serves two purposes:
- • Moving water is much harder to freeze than standing water
- • The drip relieves pressure in the pipes. Even if ice forms, the pressure can escape instead of building up until the pipe bursts
Focus on faucets on exterior walls and faucets farthest from the water heater (where pipes are coldest).
Open Cabinet Doors
Open the cabinet doors under bathroom and kitchen sinks, especially those on exterior walls. This lets warm air from your house circulate around the pipes.
Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hoses
Remove hoses from outdoor faucets and let the faucets drain completely. If water is trapped in a hose or faucet when it freezes, it can burst the pipe inside your wall.
If you have frost-free hose bibs, make sure they're angled down so water drains out instead of sitting in the pipe.
Add Insulation to Exposed Pipes
If you can access pipes in your crawl space or attic, wrap them with foam pipe insulation. This is cheap insurance and takes less than an hour for most homes. Pay special attention to pipes near crawl space vents.
Keep Your House Warm
Don't turn your heat way down when you're away. Keep it at least 55°F throughout the house. The few extra dollars in heating costs are nothing compared to the cost of repairing burst pipe damage.
What to Do If Your Pipes Freeze
If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, that pipe is probably frozen. Here's what to do:
Step 1: Open the Faucet
Keep the faucet open. As you thaw the pipe, water and steam need somewhere to escape. An open faucet also lets you know when you've succeeded in thawing the blockage.
Step 2: Apply Heat Carefully
If you can access the frozen section of pipe, you can try to thaw it yourself:
- ✓Use a hair dryer, heating pad, or electric space heater (keeping it away from anything flammable)
- ✓Wrap the pipe in towels soaked in hot water
- ✓Start thawing near the faucet and work back toward the frozen section
What NOT to use:
- ✗Propane torch or open flame (you'll burst the pipe or start a fire)
- ✗High-heat devices directly on plastic pipes
Step 3: Check for Leaks as It Thaws
Stay nearby as the pipe thaws. Sometimes pipes crack when frozen but don't leak until they thaw and water starts flowing again. If you see water where there shouldn't be any, shut off your main water and call a plumber.
When to Call a Professional
You can't access the frozen pipe
If the frozen section is inside a wall, under a concrete slab, or deep in the crawl space where you can't reach it, call a plumber. We have specialized equipment to thaw pipes in difficult locations.
Multiple fixtures have no water
If several faucets or fixtures have no water, you might have a frozen main line. This requires professional thawing equipment.
You find a leak while thawing
If water starts spraying or dripping from a crack as the pipe thaws, shut off your water immediately and call for emergency service.
Your DIY thawing isn't working
If you've been working on thawing a pipe for an hour with no progress, it's time to call someone with professional thawing equipment. Continuing to struggle just wastes time.
Dealing with Frozen Pipes?
We're available 24/7 during Birmingham cold snaps to help with frozen pipe emergencies and thawing.
Call (659) 233-6566 Now