When the colder months of the year roll around, it’s important to keep tabs on the pipes in your house.
A lot of property owners don’t do this and it can lead to a situation where the pipes freeze before bursting due to the expanding ice.
As a result, you will want to know the minimum temperature to keep pipes from freezing.
The minimum temperature to keep pipes from freezing is 20° F (-6.66° F ). To prevent pipes from freezing, regularly check the pipes’ temperature, keep a stable room temperature indoors, and visually inspect the pipes weekly.
The most common reason for pipes freezing and bursting has to do with negligence.
When you don’t pay attention to how the pipes are doing, this is when they freeze over time. In colder areas, this is a key component you have to account for as a property owner.
This article will take a look at the minimum temperature to keep pipes from freezing and what to do to prevent frozen pipes.
Table of Contents
Best Pipe Temperature Meter (EDITOR’S CHOICE)
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How To Check Temperature For Your Pipes
1. Use a Pipe Thermometer
If you’re asking “At what temperature do pipes freeze?” then you’re already aware of this being a problem during the winter months.
Most people will keep tabs on the external temperature by watching the weather report or looking at the thermostat at home to see what the indoor temperature is.
Yes, these details matter, but what about the pipes?
You have to take temperature readings of the pipes at home too.
To do this, you will require a specialized pipe thermometer such as the one shown above. This will allow you to clamp onto the pipe and get an immediate temperature reading for that specific fixture.
It’s recommended to take regular readings during the coldest times of the year.
You don’t want that temperature to dip below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Keep Tabs On the Room Temperature
To prevent pipes from freezing during the winter, you will need to account for the room temperature at home.
If the room temperature is constantly fluctuating, this is going to become a real cause for concern with the pipes.
The internal temperature has to remain above 20 degrees Fahrenheit for the pipes not to freeze.
Along with this, you also need to be well above that number. It is not just about getting close to it.
3. Visually Inspect the Pipes Weekly
Are you taking the time to visually inspect the pipes during the winter?
It’s important to take the time to look at the pipes throughout the property to see how they are doing. This includes potential leaks, frozen areas, and/or expanded portions that could burst at any moment.
If you visually inspect the pipes and take temperature readings, you are going to have more information to work with.
What Indoor Temp Will Pipes Freeze?
Most pipes will freeze at an indoor temperature of 20 degrees Fahrenheit. This is why it’s recommended to keep the indoor temperature well above this during the coldest months of the year.
The higher the temperature is, the better it is for the pipes.
You don’t want the temperature to be close to that line as it will damage the pipes over time.
Should I Drain My Pipes To Keep Them From Freezing?
You do not need to drain the pipes to keep them from freezing. If the external temperature is well-maintained and kept over 20 degrees Fahrenheit, the pipes are not going to freeze or burst.
It all comes down to your willingness to keep tabs on the internal temperature of the property.
If you do this, the water is not going to turn into a block of ice inside the pipes.
This is all you have to account for.
If you follow the necessary steps to keep the pipes from freezing, they are not going to have to be drained at any point during the winter.
Final Thoughts
This is the minimum temperature to keep pipes from freezing during the winter.
The minimum temperature to keep pipes from freezing during the winter is approximately 20° F (-6.66° F ). To stop the pipes from freezing and bursting, take regular temperature readings using a pipe thermometer, stabilize the internal room temperature, and visually inspect the pipes weekly.
This will ensure the pipe’s warning signs are noticeable well in advance.
The only reason pipes freeze and burst is due to negligence on your part as a property owner. If you take the time to pay attention, you are going to see good results.
This is essential in wintry conditions where the temperature does drop rapidly.
Keep the pipe thermometer ready and take your weekly readings.
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