Does PEX Piping Have Advantages In Freezing Temperatures?
When exposed to freezing conditions, PEX tubing has many advantages compared to CPVC pipe, galvanized steel, and copper pipe.
Many of the facts below come from the technical report Resistance Of Pex Pipe And Tubing To Breakage When Frozen. The Plastics Pipe Institute published this report.
Freeze Tolerance Features of PEX Tubing
PEX retains flexibility down to at least -40°C
Water expands when it turns to ice. If the water inside PEX tubing freezes, it can usually expand without cracking. It will return to its original size when it thaws.
This expansion of water turning into ice can cause rigid piping such as copper, galvanized steel, and CPVC to burst. Furthermore, CPVC pipe and fittings can become brittle in very cold conditions.
PEX has low thermal conductivity
Compared to copper and galvanized steel pipe, PEX transfers heat at a much, much slower rate. This means that if a part of your plumbing experiences freezing temperatures, the water in the pipes will freeze more slowly.
PEX plumbing systems use fewer fittings
Copper and other rigid piping systems like galvanized pipe or CPVC require fittings and connections at each turn. These are all potential points of failure in a system subject to freezing conditions.
Flexible PEX tubing can be run in continuous lengths from a central manifold straight to each outlet, with much fewer connections overall. The long, continuous tubing can make PEX less likely to fail if water freezes in part of the system.
PEX can be more easily routed through insulated spaces
Poorly insulated outside walls, attics, crawl spaces, and similar areas are at risk for freezing pipes. As we saw in the Houston Big Freeze disaster - incomplete insulation can be quite common in southern states.
PEX tubing can be easily threaded through tight spaces, helping ensure your fresh water supply lines are in insulated areas of your home.
You can contact us to set up a free consultation with one of our local repipe consultants. They can discuss your repipe options and give you a fixed price quote.
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Will PEX Piping Break If It Freezes?
Although PEX tubing is the best piping option for freezing temperatures, it can still experience breaks if the water inside it freezes.
Three Ways PEX (or Any Plumbing) Can Fail Due to Freezing Water
1. Outward expansion of ice in a pipe
When water freezes and turns into ice, it expands in all directions. The outward expansion of ice in a pipe can make PEX tubing grow wider.
As mentioned before, this expansion can cause rigid pipes to break. Since PEX is flexible, there is a low likelihood of PEX failure from freezing for this cause.
2. Lengthwise expansion of ice in a pipe
The larger risk of failure comes from ice forming one or more ice plugs within piping, trapping unfrozen water.
As these ice plugs expand lengthwise along the pipe, the trapped water can experience significantly increased pressure. If the pressure gets high enough, it could cause PEX (or any other plumbing material) to fail.
3. Repeated freeze/thaw cycles, weakening pipes and fittings
Multiple freeze and thaw cycles over time could weaken PEX tubing or fittings. However, this should not be a major risk.
In a 2016 research project, PEX tubing underwent five freeze/thaw cycles under pressure before being subjected to burst testing.
Even test tubing that had been notched (to simulate real-world conditions where some tubing might be partially nicked during installation or use) demonstrated burst pressures well above the PEX specification of 475 psi.
How Can I Tell If My PEX Pipes Are Frozen?
If you suspect that your PEX pipes have frozen, it's important to take act quickly to prevent pipe damage and leaks.
There are three quick and easy ways to tell if your PEX pipes are frozen:
- Little To No Water Coming Out Of Faucets: If you turn on a faucet and no water comes out, your PEX pipes might be frozen. This is because ice blockages inside the pipes can decrease water flow.
- Strange Sounds from Pipes: If you hear odd sounds from your PEX pipes, like banging or clanking, it might mean there's ice inside. This occurs when water tries to manoeuvre through frozen areas.
- Frost on Pipes: If you notice frost on your PEX pipes, it means the water inside may be frozen.
Try to keep water flowing, to avoid any excess build up of water pressure. If you know where the frozen section of pipe is, try to warm that area and/or warm the tubing itself.
Temporarily turning off the water supply shutoff valve reduces the risk of high-pressure buildup, lowering the chance of a major leak when the pipes thaw.
How Do I Keep Water From Freezing In PEX Pipes?
Although PEX is less likely to freeze, there are additional precautions you can take. We also have an article dedicated to ways to keep your pipes from freezing:
- Electrical Heat Tape: Electrical heat tape can keep sections of pipe above freezing. It is typically controlled by a thermostat and activates only when temperatures drop below a preset level. It's important to use the correct type of heat tape for your specific pipe material. Heat tape is especially useful for pipes running through uninsulated areas where rerouting isn't feasible.
- Rerouting Plumbing: Consider rerouting plumbing through well-insulated and heated spaces to reduce exposure to freezing temperatures.
- Insulate Your Pipes: Insulating your PEX pipes helps prevent the water inside them from freezing. Use foam insulation sleeves or tape to wrap around the pipes. It's also beneficial to insulate particularly cold areas such as attics and basements.
- Keep Your Home Warm: Maintain a temperature above freezing in all areas of your home, especially in poorly insulated or unheated spaces. Use space heaters if necessary to reach difficult areas. During the Houston Big Freeze, many pipes burst due to exposure in uninsulated attics.
- Let Your Faucets Drip: If you're concerned about your PEX pipes freezing, let your faucets drip slightly overnight. This helps relieve pressure that may build up in the pipes, reducing the risk of bursting while keeping water moving. This is especially important for pipes located outside or in uninsulated attics.
- Seal Drafts: Identify and seal drafts around your home where cold air may enter. This helps maintain indoor temperatures and prevents PEX pipes from freezing.
- Install Frost-Free Sillcocks: A Frost-Free Sillcock is a freeze-proof valve that prevents outdoor hose bibs (also known as spigots or sillcocks) from bursting due to freezing temperatures.
By following these steps, you can lower the risk of frozen water in your PEX tubing, reducing the chances of pipe damage.
If you'd like to learn more about rerouting your plumbing to prevent issues caused by extreme weather, we can help. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Worried About Sudden Freezes? Consider Using PEX.
If you have had plumbing problems from sudden freezes, PEX tubing is the best and most cost effective choice to avoid future issues.
We can advise you on the best options for repiping with PEX tubing. During installation, we will ensure that we place PEX in areas that won't freeze. We can also insulate the pipes as necessary to mitigate the risk of future freeze damage.
It's important to consider a repiping solution that ensures the longevity of your pipes regardless of the conditions.
Our One-Stop Repipe™ Process can be completed in just 1-2 days and comes with a lifetime warranty. This gives you peace of mind during sudden freezing temperatures.
Get a Quote for Repiping Your Home
At Repipe Specialists, we've replaced plumbing damaged by freezing temperatures in homes across the USA using Uponor PEX-A tubing. Our customers consistently share positive feedback about their repipe experiences, often noting that we exceed expectations in:
- Speed: Our repipe crews typically complete a repipe in a day, returning on another day for wall patching.
- Convenience: Through our One-Stop Repipe™ process, we handle everything from permits, to wall patching, to inspections.
- Cleanliness: Our crews are trained to protect your home while working (we cover all surfaces with protective sheeting), and to clean up fully at the end of each day.
- Peace of Mind: Repipe Specialists is a fully licensed plumber in every state we operate in, and we back all of our repipes with a lifetime warranty.
- Financing programs: To help take the sting out of unplanned repipe expenses, we offer several financing programs.
- Price: As a specialist that performs hundreds of repipes a week, we can deliver high-quality repipes at a lower cost vs generalist plumbers. We have an article that covers repipe cost factors in detail.
Schedule a free in-home consult, and one of our local repipe consultants will explain all your repipe options and provide you with a written, fixed-price quote. Beat the freeze, repipe with PEX.