How to Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter

When winter temperatures plunge below freezing, your plumbing becomes vulnerable to one of the most destructive household emergencies: frozen and burst pipes. Water expands by roughly 9 percent when it freezes, creating enormous pressure inside pipes that can exceed 2,000 pounds per square inch. That pressure does not just crack the pipe at the ice location. It can split fittings, burst joints, and cause catastrophic leaks anywhere along the line. The American Red Cross identifies frozen pipes as one of the most common and costly winter disasters, causing an average of $5,000 to $70,000 in damage per incident. Fortunately, nearly all frozen pipe damage is preventable with proper preparation.

Which Pipes Are Most at Risk

Not all pipes in your home face the same risk. Understanding which pipes are most vulnerable helps you prioritize your winterization efforts:

• Pipes in exterior walls that have little or no insulation between them and the outside.
• Pipes in unheated spaces like garages, crawlspaces, attics, and basements.
• Pipes under kitchen and bathroom sinks on exterior walls.
• Hose bibs and outdoor faucets that cannot drain properly.
• Water supply lines in unheated areas for sprinkler systems or swimming pools.

If you live in a northern state where temperatures regularly drop well below freezing, your risk is significantly higher. Check our Minnesota location page or other state pages to find local plumbers who understand your climate-specific challenges.

Pipe Insulation

Insulating exposed pipes is your first and most effective line of defense. Pipe insulation is inexpensive, easy to install, and available at any hardware store. Two primary types of pipe insulation are commonly used:

Foam Pipe Sleeves

Pre-slit foam tubes that wrap around pipes and seal with adhesive or tape. They come in various diameters and are the quickest option for most homeowners. Look for foam sleeves rated at least R-3 to R-4 for adequate protection in moderately cold climates.

Fiberglass Pipe Wrap

Fiberglass insulation wrapped around pipes and secured with tape or wire ties. This option provides higher R-values and better performance in extremely cold environments. It is more labor-intensive to install but offers superior protection for pipes in harsh conditions.

Pay special attention to pipes in exterior walls. If you have access during a renovation, consider moving these pipes to interior walls where they benefit from ambient home heating. If moving pipes is not practical, adding insulation to the exterior wall cavity between the pipe and the outside can significantly improve protection.

Heat Tape and Heat Cables

For pipes in extremely cold locations where insulation alone may not be enough, heat tape or heat cables provide active protection. These electrical heating elements wrap along the pipe or are threaded inside insulation sleeves, maintaining the pipe above freezing temperature.

When selecting heat tape, choose self-regulating cables that automatically adjust their heat output based on the ambient temperature. These cables are safer and more energy-efficient than constant-wattage tapes, which can overheat if they overlap or are installed incorrectly. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation, and never run heat tape over itself or overlap it. Ensure the tape is plugged into a GFCI-protected outlet and inspect it annually for damage before each winter season.

Drip Faucets During Extreme Cold

When temperatures drop well below freezing, letting a faucet drip can prevent pipe freezing. A steady drip relieves pressure buildup between the ice blockage and the faucet, giving expanding water a place to go instead of building up pressure that can burst the pipe. Choose a faucet on an exterior wall or the farthest point from where the water enters your home. Even a slow trickle of warm water is effective. While this does waste a small amount of water, it is far less expensive than repairing a burst pipe and the resulting water damage.

Open Cabinet Doors

Pipes under kitchen and bathroom sinks on exterior walls are often the first to freeze because they are isolated from the home's heating by closed cabinet doors. During cold snaps, open these cabinet doors to allow warm indoor air to circulate around the pipes. If you have small children or pets, remember to remove any household chemicals from the cabinets first. This simple step costs nothing and can prevent pipes from freezing during even the coldest nights.

Garage Door and Other Preparations

Keep your garage door closed during winter if there are water supply lines or a water heater in the garage. An open garage door allows cold air to rush in and drop the temperature well below freezing, putting these pipes and appliances at risk. Additionally, disconnect and drain all outdoor hoses before the first freeze. Close the interior shutoff valves that supply outdoor hose bibs, and open the outdoor valves so any remaining water can drain out. Leave the outdoor valves slightly open to allow any trapped water to expand without damaging the pipe.

Thermostat Settings

The FEMA winter preparedness guide recommends keeping your thermostat set to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit at all times during winter, even when you are away from home. A common mistake is turning the heat down significantly at night or while at work to save energy. The money saved on heating is negligible compared to the cost of a burst pipe. If you are leaving for an extended period during winter, consider shutting off the main water supply and draining the system, or ask a trusted neighbor to check your home daily.

What to Do If Pipes Freeze

If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle or no water comes out, a pipe may be frozen. Take these steps immediately:

1. Keep the faucet open. Running water through the pipe helps melt the ice inside it.
2. Apply heat to the section of pipe using a hair dryer, heating pad, electric heat tape, or towels soaked in hot water. Work from the faucet back toward the frozen section.
3. Never use an open flame, blowtorch, kerosene heater, or other open-flame device. These pose a serious fire hazard and can damage the pipe.
4. Continue applying heat until full water pressure is restored.
5. Check other faucets in the house to find additional frozen pipes.
6. If you cannot locate the frozen pipe, if the pipe is behind a wall, or if the pipe has burst, call a licensed plumber immediately.

Long-Term Solutions

If you find yourself dealing with frozen pipes every winter, consider these more permanent solutions. Relocating vulnerable pipes from exterior walls to interior walls eliminates the most common cause of freezing. Adding insulation to exterior walls, especially in rooms above garages, provides better thermal protection. Installing a whole-house backup generator ensures your heating system continues running during power outages. Finally, installing a water leak detection system with automatic shutoff can prevent catastrophic damage even if a pipe does freeze and burst. Our plumbing services can help you evaluate and implement any of these long-term solutions.

Winter does not have to be a season of anxiety about your plumbing. With proper preparation and a few preventive habits, you can protect your pipes and avoid the stress and expense of freeze damage. Start your winterization early, before the first hard freeze arrives, and you will enjoy peace of mind all season long.