Can Toilets Freeze?

We’ve all heard about frozen pipes and flooding from a pipe that burst during the cold months of winter. But what about toilets? Can toilets freeze?

Just like anything else that carries water, a toilet can indeed freeze. However, it’s usually the pipes that lead to and from the toilet that freezes, and not the tank or bowl. Freezing happens most often in toilet plumbing where the pipes are inside exterior walls, a common installation practice because it’s often easiest to reach the supply and sewer lines this way. But the risk is that they’re adjacent to very cold walls, which radiate that cold onto the plumbing.

What to Do if Your Toilet Pipes Freeze

It’s easy to figure out a way to heat up a visible pipe that freezes, but what can you do if your toilet’s hidden water supply line or drainpipe freezes? Try these quick tips before calling a plumber for assistance:

• If you can see any of the affected toilet pipes, try applying heat with a hair dryer, heating pad, or space heater.
• Turn up your home’s thermostat. Increasing the temperature in the house will increase the temperature in all spaces, including where the toilet pipe is.
• Pour hot (but not boiling) water into the toilet while flushing several times to try to melt the frozen section by way of the toilet.

Related Topic: How to Protect Outdoor Faucets from Freezing

How to Keep Toilet Pipes from Freezing Again

It’s critical to know how to keep toilet pipes from freezing to prevent the problem from reoccurring in the future. These tips can help avoid more frozen pipes, and even burst pipes later on:

• Add insulation to the area around the toilet pipes. This might require taking down drywall to access the plumbing.
• Add heating cables to the pipes on exterior walls, including your toilet pipes.
• If you’ll be away from home for an extended period, turn off your home’s main water supply valve. Drain all your water lines, including your toilet, and use a plumber’s antifreeze to winterize it.
• Keep the heat on in your house, even if you’re on vacation or headed south for the winter. A warm house will protect all your plumbing, whether you’re there or not.

Get Help Winterizing Your Plumbing System

No one wants to face burst pipes and a flooded house due to frozen plumbing lines. But winterizing your plumbing system is about more than making sure the heat stays consistent. There are some expert tricks your local plumbing professional has up their sleeve that can ensure your pipes, including your toilet supply lines and drains, don’t freeze this winter.

If you’re worried about the possibility of frozen toilet pipes, Mr. Rooter Plumbing has the tools and expertise you need to prevent frozen toilets. Contact the team at your local Mr. Rooter Plumbing by calling or request a job estimate online for help prepping your plumbing for winter and preventing future pipe freezes.