You may ask yourself why water lines are put so deep beneath your yard. When a cold snap from Nebraska is in the offing, do you have any concerns over frozen pipes? And for a homeowner, what is this “frost line” anyway and why should it be of import?
We would say those are questions worth asking; the answers have more bearing on your home than one would suppose. For years we at Select Plumbing, Inc. have put our experience to work for people in Lincoln and Lancaster County to see their plumbing is in good order. Should you have any misgivings about your pipes, (402) 944-1997 is the number to put us in touch with you. In the meantime, continue reading to find out why the 42-inch mark is perhaps the single most relevant statistic for a property owner in these parts.
A Closer Look at the Frost Line
Put simply, the frost line is how far down the ground will freeze come winter. The cold makes its way into the soil as the mercury falls and the frost line is an indicator of that depth for a normal year.
In Lincoln you are looking at 42 inches or so. A hard winter will turn three and a half feet of earth to ice. Anything above that is liable to do the same.
Building codes have water lines buried below the frost line for a reason: when water in a pipe freezes it has a tendency to expand and will crack or burst the pipe if not given room. You do not want the trouble of an underground burst line in the heart of January.
The Significance of 42 Inches in Lincoln
Soil conditions and the severity of the winter will dictate the frost line in any given area. Lincoln’s winters are cold enough to put it at 42 inches, well in excess of what you will find in warmer climes.
For the plumbing on your property this means:
- To be safe from freezing, main service lines need to be under 42 inches
- Irrigation and outdoor spigots are more exposed by virtue of running nearer the surface
- This depth is factored into the design of sewer and other subterranean piping
- With older homes, lines were put in to standards of another era
- Any new work or remodeling has to conform to this to get past inspection
Assuming your home was done right, the main lines are where they ought to be. Trouble can ensue, however, when not every line is as deeply buried.
Which Pipes Are in Jeopardy
It is the shallow ones and those in unheated areas that are prone to freezing, not the ones laid deep. The plumbing along an outside wall, in a crawl space, or the pipe to your outdoor faucet are examples.
As the frost line goes down and the cold lingers, these are the first to give way. A frozen pipe is a prelude to a burst one, and the attendant water damage and expense.
There are ways to mitigate that:
- Put away and drain your garden hose ahead of the first freeze
- Where you can, shut off and drain the outdoor faucet
- Put some insulation on pipes in the basement or crawl space
- Maintain some heat in the house even in your absence
- Drip a faucet in very cold weather so the water is in motion
- Make note of the location of your main shutoff for emergencies
Matter of Fact, Call a Pro
One can know all about the frost line but ensuring your property is prepared for it is a different matter. If you are having lines put in or undertaking a remodel, the depth is something to consider.
Then again, if you think a line is not deep enough or have had your share of freezing issues, a licensed plumber should be called in. We are State Certified, bonded and insured at Select Plumbing, Inc., and stand behind what we do with a one-year warranty. We do not charge for an estimate either.
A burst pipe is no laughing matter and neither is a Lincoln winter. For some peace of mind before the next cold spell, or to have a local who is as familiar with the ground here as anyone put your mind at ease, and to catch any hidden trouble with our underground burst line detection, the team at Select Plumbing, Inc. is at your service. Give us a ring at (402) 944-1997.
