Water Pressure Low During Cold Weather? Here Are The Pipes That May Be To Blame, And What To Do About It

Freezing-cold temperatures can cause a number of plumbing issues for homeowners just trying to make it through winter. One common problem is low water pressure. If you've turned a faucet on during the colder months only to discover that the water pressure is lower than what you're used to, this is likely because your pipes are frozen. Luckily, Frontdoor virtual plumbing expert Eddie Linares spoke exclusively with House Digest to explain which pipes might be to blame and what to do about them. According to Linares, pipes within exterior walls, basements, attics, sinks, crawlspaces, and drafty or unheated areas are more prone to freezing and causing low water pressure. He explained that you need to heat the pipes to get water flowing freely again.

If you have copper pipes, you're even more vulnerable to this plumbing problem. "Copper and plastic pipes (PVC, PEX) can freeze," Linares said. "Copper freezes faster since it is a great conductor of heat and rapidly loses heat to the surrounding environment, while plastic pipes may block water but won't burst as easily."

Before you can resolve any frozen-pipe problems, you need to locate the pipe. "To determine where the frozen pipe can be, check any unheated areas for frost or cold spots on the pipes," Linares explained. "You will also want to listen for any unusual noises, [as] frozen pipes can often cause air in the water lines." Once you find the pipe that's giving you problems, use the following guidance to melt the ice inside.

While speaking exclusively with House Digest, Eddie Linares explained how to boost the water pressure in your home after frozen pipes slow it down. "Once a frozen pipe is identified, the first step is trying to defrost it by using some form of heat, whether it be a space heater or a hair dryer to try and thaw the frozen section," he said. According to the expert, homeowners with plastic pipes must exercise caution when using this method because extreme heat can cause them to melt. Applying too much heat is one of the mistakes homeowners make when attempting to fix frozen pipes.

Linares also offered an alternative solution. "Another option is heating tape, which is a flexible electrical cable that is wrapped around water pipes to keep them from freezing," he explained. "There are specific types of this tape for copper and plastic pipes — the version made for plastic pipes is temperature-regulated as to not damage the pipe." This might be the better choice if you're worried about accidentally melting your plastic pipes with any of the aforementioned heat sources. Linares shared one last warning to keep in mind. He advised homeowners to call a professional for help if they have trouble locating the suspected frozen pipe. "Frozen pipes can turn into burst pipes very quickly, and it can be very costly to repair," the expert said.