How to Prevent Frozen Pipes Before Winter Hits

When the temperature drops, frozen pipes can cause major damage in hours. Before winter sets in, insulate exposed lines, seal off drafts, and maintain steady heat. Let faucets drip on the coldest nights and consider adding smart leak detectors. A few small steps now can keep your home dry, warm, and worry-free all winter.

Every winter, homeowners learn the hard way how quickly a frozen pipe can become a burst one. Water pours from ceilings, walls swell, and repair costs climb faster than the thermostat. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety estimates thousands of dollars in damage for each major freeze. Yet most of it can be prevented with a bit of prep before the first frost.

Why Do Pipes Freeze — and Which Ones Are Most at Risk?

Water expands as it turns to ice, and when it’s trapped inside a pipe, that pressure has nowhere to go. Copper, PVC, even PEX none are immune. The trouble usually stays hidden until a thaw sends water gushing through the house.

The most vulnerable spots are easy to miss: outdoor faucets, pipes tucked behind exterior walls, and plumbing that snakes through garages, attics, or crawl spaces. A slow faucet, a faint gurgle, or a hint of frost on an exposed line are early warnings.

According to the University of Georgia Extension, even “freeze-proof” spigots can burst if you leave a hose attached. It’s a small mistake that causes big headaches once temperatures drop.

Step 1: Insulate Exposed Pipes

Think of insulation as a winter jacket for your plumbing. Any pipe that runs through an unheated space deserves one. Foam sleeves work perfectly cheap, quick, and available in every hardware store. Cut them to length, slip them over the pipe, and tape the seams.

Pay attention to basements, garages, and anywhere pipes sit close to outer walls. If you’ve had freezing problems before, consider adding electric heat tape. It plugs into an outlet and automatically warms up when the temperature dips.

One reminder: use cables rated for your pipe material, and don’t overlap them. They’re meant to keep things cozy, not hot.

Step 2: Seal Drafts and Air Leaks

Even insulated pipes can freeze if cold air finds a way in. A one-inch gap in your foundation is enough to send icy air blasting straight at the plumbing.

Take a slow lap around your home’s exterior. Seal up cracks where pipes, cables, or vents pass through. Inside, peek under sinks and behind washers any place that feels chilly deserves a little attention. Caulk, foam, or weather-stripping will do the trick.

If you have a crawl space, close the vents during cold spells and add a plastic vapor barrier along the ground to trap warmth. It’s a small job that pays off in both energy savings and seasonal safety.

Step 3: Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Fixtures

This one’s simple but crucial. Before the freeze arrives, disconnect every hose. Shut off the indoor valve that feeds your outdoor faucet, then open the spigot so leftover water can drain. Slip on an insulated faucet cover for good measure.

If you have sprinklers, schedule a blowout in the fall. Even a teaspoon of water trapped underground can crack a pipe wide open by midwinter.

Step 4: Keep Your Home Warm Even When You’re Away

Pipes freeze fastest when the heat’s turned down to save a few dollars. Keep your thermostat set at 55°F or higher, even if you’re gone for the weekend.

On the coldest nights, open cabinet doors under sinks to let warm air reach hidden plumbing. Leave interior doors open too it helps the heat circulate evenly.

If you travel frequently, install a smart thermostat that pings your phone if the temperature drops too low. A single alert could save you from a flooded kitchen.

Step 5: Let Faucets Drip in Extreme Cold

When the weather turns brutal, let a few faucets run just enough to drip. That slow movement keeps pressure from building up and freezing the line solid.

Pick a faucet farthest from the main water line usually upstairs and crack both hot and cold handles. The trickle you hear overnight might just be the sound of prevention.

Homes on well systems should also protect the pump. Keep it insulated or housed somewhere warm enough to stay above freezing.

Step 6: Install Pipe Heating Cables or Smart Leak Sensors

If your home has a few cold-prone spots, heating cables are worth every penny. They sense surrounding temperatures and adjust their warmth automatically.

For extra peace of mind, install smart leak detectors under sinks and near the water heater. They send instant alerts if they detect moisture or drastic temperature drops and some can even shut off your water supply remotely.

It’s a bit of modern tech that turns potential disasters into minor inconveniences.

Step 7: What to Do If a Pipe Freezes

You turn the tap and nothing comes out don’t panic, but don’t wait either.

1. Shut off the main water valve right away.
2. Open nearby faucets to release pressure.
3. Warm the frozen section gently with a hair dryer or space heater, starting near the faucet end and working back toward the blockage.

Skip the blowtorch it’s dangerous and unnecessary.

If you can’t find the frozen section or suspect a burst, call a plumber immediately. The University of Georgia Extension notes that pipes can freeze in just hours once outdoor temperatures dip into the 20s, especially in older homes.

Step 8: Protect Hidden Plumbing in Older Homes

Older houses hide plenty of surprises, and plumbing is usually one of them. Pipes running through attics, crawl spaces, or outer walls are repeat offenders when it comes to freezing.

If you’ve had issues in the same spot before, make it a permanent fix. Add insulation, reroute pipes through interior walls, or upgrade to flexible PEX tubing, which can expand slightly without bursting.

Ask your plumber about adding shut-off valves in those problem areas, too. It’s one more layer of protection and an easy addition to your annual home maintenance routine.

Step 9: How to Protect Pipes in Vacation Homes

Empty houses are the easiest targets for frozen pipes. Before heading out of town, shut off your main valve and run the faucets until they’re dry. Keep the heat on low but steady, and have a neighbor stop by during cold snaps.

If your property sits in a rural or storm-prone area, invest in a small backup power source for your thermostat and leak sensors. They’ll keep working even if the power flickers.

Many insurance companies offer discounts for homes with automated shutoff valves one of the few upgrades that can actually pay you back.

Step 10: Make Frozen Pipe Prevention a Fall Habit

This isn’t a once-and-done chore. Add frozen pipe prep to your annual fall checklist, right alongside gutter cleaning and furnace tune-ups.

Quick fall checklist:

• Insulate exposed pipes
• Seal gaps and drafts
• Disconnect hoses and outdoor lines
• Keep thermostat above 55°F
• Let faucets drip during deep freezes
• Test leak sensors and heating cables
• Drain plumbing before long trips

An hour of effort now can spare you a soaked living room later. That’s a trade any homeowner would take.

Quick Facts

• Pipes can freeze in 6–8 hours once temperatures hit 20°F or below.
• The average burst pipe causes more than $5,000 in damage.
• PEX pipes expand slightly, making them more resilient than copper or PVC.

FAQs

How cold does it have to be for pipes to freeze?
Usually around 20°F, though uninsulated pipes can freeze sooner if there’s a draft nearby.

Should I leave faucets dripping all winter?
Not all season, just during bitter cold spells. When the forecast calls for temps in the teens, turn on a trickle.

What should I do if a pipe bursts?
Shut off your main valve, then call a plumber right away. Start drying the area with towels or fans to reduce water damage.

Can frozen pipes thaw on their own?
They can, but it’s risky. Controlled thawing is safer and prevents pressure from building suddenly.

What’s the best fix for recurring frozen pipes?
Insulate, reroute, or upgrade to PEX. Once you’ve had one freeze, it’s only a matter of time without a real solution.