Published Date 1/29/2025
When they designed plumbing pipes, they may not have been counting on pervasively frigid temperatures, including in places that rarely if ever experience them. Realtor.com’s Julie Taylor says, “In these arctic conditions, freezing pipes are always a concern—especially in what’s arguably the most important room in the house: the bathroom.”
So she looked into what you need to know about frozen toilets and pipes, plus tips on thawing them out in order to get things flowing again. Believe it or not the water in the toilet and the tank can freeze in extremely cold weather. So says New York-based plumbing expert Mazzacone. “Any time there is water, it has the potential to freeze.” He says that while water freezes at 32°F, pipes often need a longer period of cold temperatures below that before freezing becomes a significant risk— he estimates 20°F or lower.
Experts say this risk increases if the pipes connected to the toilet are exposed to cold air, such as in crawl spaces, exterior walls, or poorly insulated sections of the home. It can cause toilets to crack, while freezing in the pipes connected to the toilet can lead to blocked water flow and, in severe cases, even cause the pipe to burst due to the expansion of ice.
Plus? You can’t flush. Or you shouldn’t, because the flushing mechanism won’t function properly if the tank or bowl is frozen. Flushing can damage internal components and pipes, causing even further damage—so you’re better off not using the toilet altogether.
So what can you do? Well for one, keep the heat on with your thermostat set to at least 55°F, even if you’re away, says experts. Smart thermostats have safety precautions to make sure your unit turns on if the temperature ever gets below the temperature you set it to. If the heat is inoperable, place a space heater in the bathroom or next to the toilet to prevent freezing—but only if you’re home, Then monitor the space heater closely, as they are not safe to operate unattended.
Use foam pipe insulation or heat tape to wrap pipes near the toilet, especially those exposed to cold air in basements, crawl spaces, or exterior walls, Taylor advises. Seal drafts with caulk or weatherstripping, closing gaps or cracks around windows and doors to prevent cold air from reaching your plumbing systems. It’s also wise to run a small trickle of water through your faucets to reduce pressure in the pipes. And believe it or not, in an unoccupied or seasonal home, nontoxic RV antifreeze can be added to toilets and traps to prevent freezing, according to Mazzacone.
Fling open those cabinet doors in bathrooms and around vanities to allow warm air to circulate around pipes, and shut the water off if possible if you’re not going to be there so unused water won’t freeze and bust your pipes while you’re gone.
Space heaters rule. But if you don’t have one, try a hair dryer, heat lamp, or a heating pad in a pinch. Never – ever – try to thaw a frozen pipe with an open flame or anything flammable, advises Taylor. “Once the toilets and/or pipes are thawed (which may take up to 24 hours), check everything over to be sure nothing is cracked or leaking. And if you notice any water pooling or dripping, call a plumber to see what damage may have been caused by the freeze. A burst pipe can cost you a lot more than flushing cheeks.
Realtor, TBWS
All information furnished has been forwarded to you and is provided by thetbwsgroup only for informational purposes. Forecasting shall be considered as events which may be expected but not guaranteed. Neither the forwarding party and/or company nor thetbwsgroup assume any responsibility to any person who relies on information or forecasting contained in this report and disclaims all liability in respect to decisions or actions, or lack thereof based on any or all of the contents of this report.
American Home Lending USA, LLC - NMLS ID: 71983. To verify licensing, visit NMLS Consumer Access (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). Equal Housing Lender.
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American Home Lending USA, LLC
240 S Buchanan St, Edwardsville IL 62025
Company NMLS: 71983
Office: 618-310-0091
Cell: 618-806-2281
Email: jbeck@ahlusa1.com
NMLS: 19488
Cell: 618-806-2281
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