Many homeowners have transitioned to PEX plumbing. It’s cold in Houston, and let’s face it, most of us aren’t accustomed to prolonged freezing temperatures.  There are specific actions to take to prevent problems with your plumbing . This article will discuss how to prevent your PEX from freezing and what to do if it does freeze.

What You Should Know About PEX And Freezing Temperatures

 “Uponor PEX piping can withstand extreme freeze/thaw cycles better than other piping. The cross-linking of the piping allows it to expand and absorb much of the expansion energy from the freezing process. No piping product is freeze-proof, but Uponor PEX piping is extremely resistant to freeze damage.” The good news is that if your PEX freezes, it is less likely to burst than other plumbing materials. – Uponor Residential Guide

How to Prevent PEX Pipes from Freezing 

The best way to keep your pipes from freezing is to keep your home warm. Keep all rooms warm, not just the rooms you are using. Turn all your faucets on to a drip. Keeping the house warm may not be possible if you are without power. If you are without power, leaving all your faucets with a light drip or stream is more critical -- hot and cold lines. If you leave your home for vacation or seek shelter elsewhere, turn the water off and drain all the pipes. 

[Warning & Disclaimers: Use heaters, fireplaces, heat guns, and other tools as the manufacturer directs. Do not use a torch or open flame to heat any pipes. Never use generators indoors; this can be fatal. Always use proper water and electrical safety.]

 Thawing Frozen PEX Piping

What should you do if you are in it and your PEX piping has already frozen? If you experienced an ice blockage in your PEX because of a loss of power, and now your power has been restored, the best thing to do is warm your home and wait. As temperatures rise above freezing, the water will naturally melt. This may take several hours. If you can identify the frozen area of the pipe, Uponor has outlined methods for thawing your PEX plumbing.

According to the Uponor Residential guide:

“Should Uponor PEX piping experience an ice blockage, thaw the piping using one of these methods:

1. Pour hot water over the piping’s affected area.

2. Wrap hot towels around the piping’s affected area.

3. Place a small portable heating unit in the area to heat the space and thaw the ice blockage from the piping.

4. Slowly heat the affected area with a heat gun. Rub a hand over the area while heating to ensure the piping does not get too hot.” Do not over-heat PEX. It should not get hot. If you are unfamiliar with using a heat gun, we suggest you use a blow dryer to avoid overheating your plumbing or injury to yourself.

 If you notice a slit in the PEX while thawing, confirm your water is off and call a plumber. Attempting to run water after the PEX is damaged can cause water damage to your home. Once you have successfully thawed the pipe, correct the lack of insulation or heat to eliminate the problem from reoccurring.

Resource: Uponor Residential Plumbing Guide

[Warning & Disclaimers: Use heaters, fireplaces, heat guns, and other tools as the manufacturer directs. Do not use a torch or open flame to heat any pipes.Never use generators indoors; this can be fatal. Always use proper water and electrical safety.]