Cold water, frozen but not hot, is one of the most fascinating occurrences you’ll come across in nature. Scientists have noted that when you heat cold water, it freezes before boiling.
It is because cold water molecules travel faster than hot water molecules. Therefore, when you heat water, the molecules travel slower, which eventually causes water to freeze.
This article will walk you through “cold water frozen but not hot” and discover what causes hot water not to freeze, yet cold water freezes.
Why Do You Freeze Cold Water But Not Hot Water?
Cold water freezes, yet hot water doesn’t because of the water molecules’ arrangement. Those molecules in cold water are close to each other, causing them to come together quickly when frozen, unlike in hot water, where the molecules are too distant to create strong bonds.
Hence, when you heat cold water, the molecules begin getting active and bond, which causes them to form crystals. The more you heat, the more you create crystals that cause the water to freeze.
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Cold Water Frozen But Not Hot: Reasons ( And Solutions)
Here is why cold water freezes, yet hot water does not;
1. Presence of Impurities in Coldwater
Cold water will crystallize faster because of the impurities in the water. When the pollutants come in contact with heat, they act as nucleation sites and catalyze the formation of ice crystals in cold water compared to hot water.
Therefore, if you don’t like it when your water crystallizes fast, it would be best to substitute the water you cook with purified water.
You can also cool hot water before refrigeration to allow the molecules to form strong bonds.
2. Variations in Pressure
The other reason cold water forms crystals faster than hot water is the increased pressure in the water. The molecules activate and begin crystallizing when you increase pressure in cold water.
Ensure the pressure before and after refrigeration is evened out to prevent crystallization. To reduce pressure differences, add Salt to hot water before cooling.
3. Temperature Gradient
Temperature differences in water can cause cold water to freeze but not hot. When some parts of water are hard and others hot, the cold domains will begin forming crystals leaving behind the hot areas.
To prevent crystallization, ensure your water has an even temperature before you put it in the fridge. You can also stir the water to even out the temperatures before putting it in the freezer.
4. Presence of Particulate Matter
Particulate particles like dust can also be why cold water freezes but not hot water. When dust particles are present in water, they become nucleation sites and accelerate crystallization.
To prevent quick crystallization, you should filter and purify the water as a way of cleaning the water. You can also stir the water to distribute the particles in the water evenly.
5. High Heat Capacity
Because the molecules in hot water are far apart, it takes much longer for the molecules to slow down to create firm bonds. As a result, hot water may not freeze even if you expose it to the same temperatures that would cause cold water to freeze.
Therefore, if you want to freeze hot water, you should first allow it to cool, which will cause the molecules to slow down and create firm bonds.
You can add Salt to decrease heat capacities and accelerate freezing hot water.
Generally, impurities, temperature differences, high heat capacities, and particulate matter in cold water can be why cold water freezes, yet hot water does not.
Therefore, you should always ensure the temperature of the water is uniform and that the water is filtered and purified.
Adding Salt and stirring the water is also an excellent remedy to decrease heat capacities and accelerate the freezing excess.
Why Is Cold Water Working But Not Hot?
The properties of cold water are why cold water freezes easily compared to hot water; the molecules of cold water are close to each other and move slowly, which causes them to form bonds easily compared to molecules in hot water.
Chances that cold water will have particulate pastimes or impurities are minimal, which reduces changes in water crystallizing since they accelerate the crystallization process.
Additionally, the low heat capacity in cold water slows the bonds down and makes the molecules create firm bonds.
Their priorities make it easier to freeze cold water compared to hot water.
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Should You Leave Faucets Open If Pipes Are Frozen?
If your pipes are frozen, you should not leave the faucets open, as this will create water damage and unnecessary risks in the house. Instead, if your pipes freeze, you should use your hair dryer or heating pad to thaw the frozen water.
Additionally, you should find out why your pipes are freezing and strive to solve the problem to avoid your lines freezing in the future. The best way is to insulate exposed pipes and keep water temperatures constant.
If you do that, the chances of water freezing will reduce significantly. Ideally, it is safer to thaw the frozen water from the pipes insured of leaving the faucets open.
What Do You Do When Pipes Freeze Without Hot Water?
If your pipes are frozen, the best remedy is to thaw the frozen water using a hot water source like your hair dryer. However, the most suitable treatment is to find out why your pipes are frozen and fix the problem permanently to avoid further occurrences.
However, if the pipes do not respond to thawing using a hot air source, you should call a licensed plumber to fix the problem. They will look at the pipes and develop the most permanent solutions.
If your pipes are frozen without hot water, it is wise to assess the situation and devise a permanent solution.
How Do You Get Hot Water Back After Freezing?
If your pipes are frozen and cannot pass water, your pipes are likely frozen and need thawing, so you need to use your hair dryer or heating pad to thaw all the frozen water.
Even Though using a heating source world, the best solution is to find out why your pipes are frozen and fix the issue permanently.
Exposed pipes and low temperatures are likely the main reasons your pipes keep freezing.
If you have experienced a pipe freeze and want hot water back, gently thaw the pipes using a heat source such as a hair dryer or heating pad. Additionally, you should inspect the lines for any possible freezing sources, such as exposed pipes or low temperatures, and take steps to prevent similar occurrences.
How to Do Plumbers Unfreeze Pipes?
Generally, the methods your plumbers will use to thaw pipes are similar to the ones you would use on your own. They use hot air sources, like hair dryers and heating pads. They also fix the problems permanently by insulating the exposed pipes or maintaining a constant temperature.
However, plumbers have more effective tools they use when hot air sources do not work. Therefore, it would be best to talk to your plumber to fix the problem if your heating pad is not thawing the pipes.
Will Pipes Unfreeze Themselves?
Although in some cases, like when temperatures rise or if you expose them to a hot environment, the best remedy is to find a permanent solution, like insulating the pipes or evening the temperature.
It would be best if you inspected the pipes often in case of a more significant problem with your lines as you find ways to stop them from freezing in the future. In case there is, contact your plumber to fix them.
How Long Does It Take Pipes To Unfreeze Naturally?
Depending on your lines’ environment, it will take a few hours to a few days for the pipes to thaw naturally. Here is what will determine how long your pipes take to soften:
- How fast do your pipes conduct heat
- The temperature of the domain.
However, if you want immediate results, use a heat source like your heating pad or dryer to thaw the pipes. However, the best thing is to find a way to prevent your pipes from freezing in the future; you can insulate your exposed pipes or find ways to even the temperatures out.
Will Dumping Hot Water Unfreeze Pipes?
Dumping hot water will unfreeze your pipes. However, this method is not recommended as it damages the water and creates risky conditions on your lines.
The best way to thaw frozen pipes is by using heat sources like a hair dryer or heating pads or finding a more permanent solution like regulating water temperatures or insulating exposed pipes.
If you do not have this equipment or your pipes do not respond to heat sources, you should contact a licensed plumber for assistance.
Should I Turn Off The Water Heater If The Pipes Freeze?
Yes. If your pipes are frozen, the first step should be switching off all appliances causing your pipes to freeze, including your water heater, to prevent further freezing.
The next step should be finding heat sources to thaw the frozen pipes as you find a more permanent solution, like insulating exposed pipes and regulating temperatures.
If your pipes do not thaw after these measures, contact your professional plumber for assistance.
Will Pouring Hot Water Down The Drain Unfreeze The Pipes?
Yes, it will thaw your pipes but it damages them or creates a risky condition. Therefore, if your pipes are frozen, you should use a heat source like a hair dryer or a heating pad to thaw the pipes.
If this does not work, contact a plumber for further assistance.
