The short answer is that yes, will pex freeze in crawl space conditions if the temperature stays below icing for long plenty of and the region isn't properly shielded. While PEX is certainly more forgiving than old-school copper or rigid PVC, this isn't some marvelous material that's immune system to the laws of physics. In the event that it gets frosty enough for longer enough, the water inside those ranges will turn in order to ice, and that's when the head aches really start to get a homeowner.
Many people switch to PEX because they've noticed it won't rush. There exists a lot of truth to that. PEX, or cross-linked polyethylene, is flexible. When water freezes, this expands by about 9%. In a copper pipe, there is absolutely no give, therefore the steel just zips open up, leading to a flood once points thaw out. PEX, on the various other hand, can really stretch a bit to accommodate that will expansion. But don't let that provide you a false sense of total safety. Even if the pipe doesn't crack, you're still left without running water, which is a massive pain when you're just trying to have a morning shower.
Why crawl spaces are a headache for plumbing
Crawl spaces are basically the "no man's land" of a house. They aren't quite inside, and they aren't quite outside. Most of the time, they may be damp, dark, and—crucially—very drafty. Because several crawl spaces are usually vented to avoid moisture buildup in summer time, those same vents become a direct highway intended for freezing Arctic air flow in the wintertime.
When you possess a 20-degree wind flow whipping through the crawl space vent out, it creates the wind-chill effect on your pipes. Your own PEX tubing might be rated to handle cold, however it can't fight off a continuing blast associated with freezing air indefinitely. If your pipes are hanging from the floor joists best near a vent out or a space in the rim joist, they're sitting ducks. It doesn't even have in order to be below freezing for a week; a single really nasty night along with high winds can do the key.
The "Freeze-Resistant" vs. "Freeze-Proof" Trap
You'll often listen to contractors say PEX is freeze-proof. That is a bit of a marketing stretch. It will be freeze-resistant . The material can expand and then usually (though not always) shrink back to the original shape. Nevertheless, the weak factors aren't usually the middle of the pipe; they are the fittings.
If you've obtained brass or plastic elbows and shirts connecting your PEX lines in the crawl space, all those parts don't stretch. When the drinking water inside an knee freezes, the pressure can't go anyplace, plus it can break the fitting or pull the pipe quickly the coil ring. So, actually if the PEX tubing itself survives, you could nevertheless get up to a swamp under your home because a $2 plastic fitting threw in the towel the ghost.
How to inform if your PEX will be at risk
If you're asking yourself whether you have to be concerned, take a look at how your crawl space is set up. Will be it encapsulated? Is usually there insulation on the walls? If your own crawl space will be "conditioned"—meaning it's sealed off and fairly tempered by the particular heat from your house—you're probably in great shape.
But if a person can see daytime through the ports or if a person feel a wind when you're straight down there, you've obtained work to accomplish. Also, look at the way the pipes are leaped. Pipes that are usually tucked up within the fiberglass batts (between the insulating material and the comfortable floorboards) are much safer than pipes hanging below the insulation, exposed to the raw atmosphere of the crawl space.
Simple ways to protect your pipes
You don't always have to spend thousands of dollars to keep your lines from freezing. A few proactive steps can go a long way.
Seal the drafts. This is the particular big one. Move around the perimeter of your crawl space and look for holes where utilities enter the house. Grab a may of spray foam and plug those gaps. If you have base vents, acquire some polyurethane foam vent covers with regard to the winter a few months. Just remember to get them out in the spring so your house may breathe again.
Use foam pipe sleeves. These are usually those black or gray foam pipes you observe at the particular hardware store. They're cheap and easy in order to slide over your PEX. While they don't "heat" the particular pipe, they behave like a winter coat. They reduce the heat reduction through the water, which usually might be sufficient to get a person through a frosty snap. Make sure you tape the particular joints of the foam so no cold air can put in.
The "Drip" Technique. It's an old trick, but it functions. If you know a record-breaking freeze is arriving, leave a faucet running at the very slow get. Moving water will be much harder to freeze than standing up water. It also relieves the pressure in the collection if ice will start to type, which can avoid the pipe or even fittings from taking.
Should you use heat tape upon PEX?
This particular is a typical question, and the answer is yes, but you need to be careful. You can't just use any heat tape. You should find a self-regulating heat cable that is specifically rated for plastic pipes. Some of the older, cheaper heat tapes can get too hot plus actually melt or even damage the PEX.
If you wrap PEX along with heat tape, you're basically giving it a literal heating element. It's really effective for "problem spots"—like that one part of the crawl space that constantly seems to freeze simply no matter what you are doing. Just make certain you the actual manufacturer's instructions to the letter so you don't end up with a fire hazard.
What to do if the water stops running
If you turn on the tap plus nothing comes out there, don't panic, but act fast. First, check all the particular faucets in the particular house to observe if the freeze is definitely isolated to a single area. If it's the whole house, the blockage is likely near where the particular main line enters the crawl space.
Whatever a person do, never make use of a blowtorch in order to thaw PEX. A person will melt the particular pipe in seconds, and you might set your house on fire. The best tool for your job is an easy hair dryer or perhaps a small space heater. If you use a space heating unit in the crawl space, never depart it unattended. You just want to raise the normal temperature enough to obtain the water moving again.
Once the water starts moving, keep it running for a while. You want to make sure all of the slush plus ice chunks are usually flushed out of the system. This really is also the period to grab the flashlight and examine every inch of the line. Set up PEX looks okay, check those fittings for tiny drips. Sometimes a split is so little you won't discover it till the program is fully pressurised and thawed.
The long-term repair: Encapsulation
If you find yourself worrying every period the elements report shows a snowflake, it might be time for you to look at crawl space encapsulation. This involves sealing the floor with a heavy-duty vapor obstacle, sealing the vents permanently, and insulating the foundation walls instead of the floor joists.
By doing this, you're essentially getting the crawl space "inside" the envelope of your house. The temperature under your house will usually stay in the 50s or 60s year-round. It's a bigger investment, but it doesn't just protect your pipes; this also saves upon energy bills plus prevents mold. As well as, you'll never have got to crawl below there in the particular middle of the blizzard with the hair dryer once again.
Final thoughts
PEX will be a fantastic materials, and it's certainly the best option for frosty climates, but it's not invincible. When you're asking will pex freeze in crawl space areas, you're currently ahead of the game because you're thinking regarding prevention. A small amount of insulating material, a few polyurethane foam covers, and a few spray foam may be the difference between a cozy winter morning plus a very expensive contact to some plumber on a Sunday. Keep the drafts out there, keep the pipes tucked away, and your PEX should deal with whatever the winter throws at it.