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Cold weather can put your home’s plumbing at risk. Here’s how to prepare before freezing temperatures arrive!
As temperatures drop, protecting your home from winter water damage should be a priority! While it’s easy to focus on heating systems, drafty windows, and outdoor maintenance, your plumbing deserves just as much attention.
Frozen pipes can lead to leaks, burst plumbing, damaged belongings, and expensive repairs. And the risk isn’t limited to places with long, snowy winters. Even homes in warmer climates can experience frozen pipes during an unexpected cold snap!
Fortunately, a few preventative steps can help reduce your risk!
This guide covers how to prevent frozen pipes, identify vulnerable areas around your home, and respond if something goes wrong.
Why Do Pipes Freeze in the Winter?
When water freezes, it expands. Inside a pipe, that expansion can create enough pressure to cause the pipe to crack or burst.
Not every frozen pipe will burst, but the consequences can be serious if one does. Water escaping from damaged plumbing can spread into walls, flooring, cabinets, and personal belongings.
Pipes most vulnerable to freezing include:
- Water lines in unheated basements and crawl spaces.
- Plumbing located in garages or attics.
- Pipes running along poorly insulated exterior walls.
- Water supply lines beneath kitchen and bathroom sinks.
- Outdoor faucets, hose connections, and irrigation lines.
Knowing where these vulnerable areas are located is the first step toward protecting them.
1. Insulate Exposed Water Pipes
One of the simplest ways to help prevent frozen pipes is to insulate plumbing exposed to colder temperatures.
Check your basement, crawl space, garage, and other unheated areas for visible water lines.
Foam pipe sleeves and other products designed for plumbing insulation can help reduce heat loss and protect exposed pipes during cold weather.
Pay particular attention to plumbing near exterior walls and openings where cold air may enter.
If you’re considering electric heat tape or heating cables, choose products approved for your specific application and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Ask a qualified professional for help if you’re unsure about installation.
Home maintenance tip: Insulation is most effective when combined with adequate indoor heating and protection from cold drafts.
2. Disconnect and Winterize Outdoor Water Connections
Outdoor faucets and water lines are particularly vulnerable to freezing temperatures.
Before the first hard freeze:
Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor faucets.
Drain hoses and store them for winter.
Shut off interior supply valves for outdoor faucets, if your home has them.
Drain outdoor lines according to your plumbing system’s instructions.
Winterize irrigation systems according to manufacturer or installer recommendations.
Frost-proof faucets can provide additional protection, but they still need to be used and maintained correctly.
Taking these precautions can help prevent trapped water from freezing inside outdoor plumbing.
3. Keep Your Home Warm During Cold Weather
Maintaining adequate indoor temperatures is essential for protecting your plumbing!
During freezing weather, avoid turning your heat off or setting your thermostat excessively low, even if you’re trying to reduce energy costs.
The American Red Cross recommends keeping your home heated to at least 55°F when you’re away during cold weather.
During extreme cold, keeping your thermostat at a consistent temperature throughout the day and night may also help protect vulnerable plumbing.
If you’re traveling, consider having someone check on your home, especially during severe winter weather.
Remember that rooms, garages, and other spaces containing plumbing may be significantly colder than the temperature displayed on your thermostat.
4. Let Warm Air Reach Plumbing Beneath Sinks
Some pipes are tucked away inside cabinets, particularly along exterior walls.
During extremely cold weather, opening kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors can help warmer indoor air circulate around these pipes.
Before leaving cabinets open, move cleaning products, chemicals, and other potentially dangerous items out of reach of children and pets.
For particularly vulnerable pipes, allowing a small trickle of water from the connected faucet during extreme cold may also help reduce freezing risk. Follow any local water-use restrictions or utility guidance.
5. Seal Drafts Around Vulnerable Plumbing
Cold air entering through gaps and cracks can increase the risk of freezing, even when the rest of your home feels comfortable.
Inspect areas where pipes pass through exterior walls, foundations, and other openings.
Look for:
Cracks or gaps around pipe penetrations.
Missing or damaged weatherstripping.
Drafts near basement or crawl space openings.
Poorly insulated areas around plumbing.
Use appropriate sealing materials for the location, and avoid blocking required ventilation or creating hazards around heating equipment.
Addressing these openings can help keep cold air away from exposed plumbing.
6. Locate Your Main Water Shutoff Valve
If you only complete one plumbing-related task this month, make it this one!
Knowing how to turn off your home’s main water supply can help you respond quickly if a pipe bursts or a major leak develops.
Your main shutoff valve may be located in a basement, utility room, crawl space, garage, or near the point where the water supply enters your home.
Once you locate it:
- Make sure the valve is accessible.
- Identify it clearly so household members can find it.
- Learn how it operates.
- Make sure other adults in the home know its location.
- Ask a qualified plumber to inspect it if it’s damaged, stuck, or difficult to operate.
Don’t force a valve that appears corroded or damaged.
In a plumbing emergency, knowing where to shut off the water can help limit additional damage while you arrange repairs.
7. Watch for Early Signs of Plumbing Problems
Frozen pipes aren’t the only source of winter water damage.
Small leaks and worn plumbing connections can also cause problems, especially when they’re hidden behind appliances or beneath sinks.
Make a habit of checking for:
Damp spots beneath sinks or around appliances.
Water stains on walls, ceilings, or cabinets.
Unexplained puddles near plumbing fixtures.
Corrosion or moisture around pipe connections.
Unexpected changes in water pressure.
Unexplained increases in water usage.
Consider checking washing machine and dishwasher supply hoses for wear, cracks, or other signs of deterioration.
Catching small problems early can help prevent them from becoming larger ones.
What Should You Do If Your Pipes Freeze?
If you turn on a faucet during freezing weather and only a trickle comes out, you may have a frozen pipe.
Take these precautions:
- Check for visible leaks or damaged plumbing.
- If you suspect a burst pipe, shut off the main water supply if it’s safe to do so.
- Keep the affected faucet open if appropriate and safe.
- If the pipe is accessible, intact, and safe to work around, use gentle heat such as warm towels or a hair dryer kept away from water.
- Never use a blowtorch, open flame, or other high-temperature heating device to thaw pipes.
- Contact a qualified plumber if the frozen section is inaccessible, you suspect damage, or you cannot safely restore water flow.
Never use electrical appliances in standing water!
If a pipe bursts, prioritize safety, shut off the water when possible, and arrange professional repairs.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Frozen Pipe Damage?
Coverage depends on your specific insurance policy and the circumstances surrounding the damage.
Many homeowners insurance policies cover sudden and accidental water damage caused by a burst pipe. However, coverage may be limited or denied if the property wasn’t adequately heated or reasonable precautions weren’t taken.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners recommends reviewing your policy and understanding your responsibilities for protecting plumbing during freezing weather.
If water damage occurs, document the affected areas, contact your insurance provider promptly, and keep records of cleanup and repairs.
Stay Ahead of Winter Maintenance With HomeManager
Protecting your home doesn’t have to mean remembering every maintenance task on your own!
From checking plumbing and preparing outdoor faucets to organizing appliance information and maintenance records, staying organized can make seasonal home care easier.
HomeManager helps homeowners:
Keep track of recommended monthly maintenance tasks.
Store important home documents and receipts.
Organize home inventory information.
Keep useful property details in one place.
With HomeManager Plus, you can also access expanded maintenance instructions and how-to videos to help guide you through home care tasks.
A Little Preparation Can Make a Big Difference
Winter water damage isn’t always preventable, but taking a few simple steps before temperatures drop can help reduce your risk.
Start by identifying vulnerable pipes, checking exposed plumbing, keeping your home adequately heated, and learning where your main water shutoff valve is located.
The goal isn’t to do everything at once. It’s to make preventative maintenance a regular part of caring for your home.
A well-maintained home starts with being prepared.
