- To help prevent frozen pipes: Insulate exposed pipes (polyethylene foam or fiberglass sleeves), seal air leaks, keep thermostat at minimum 55-60°F, open cabinet doors, and let faucets drip during extreme cold.
- At-risk areas include basements, attics, garages, cabinets and exterior walls — anywhere with unheated interior spaces or poor insulation.
- If pipes freeze: Shut off main water valve, locate frozen section (look for condensation, frost or colder-than-normal pipe surface), apply heat with hair dryer or heating pad (no open flames), and open faucets.
- If a pipe bursts: Turn off electricity in affected areas, shut off main water valve, document damage with photos, and contact a plumber and your insurance company.
How to Keep Pipes From Freezing
Bitter cold temperatures increase the risk that a home's pipes will freeze and burst, causing extensive water damage. Winter home maintenance done in advance can help prevent these issues.
Key Takeaways
How to keep pipes from freezing starts with focusing on areas of your home most exposed to cold air and poor insulation. Acting early may help you prevent pipes from freezing before winter weather turns into a plumbing emergency.
Quick takeaway: To help prevent pipes from freezing, insulate exposed plumbing, seal air leaks, maintain indoor heat and know what to do if pipes freeze before they burst.
The pipes most at risk are those located in unheated interior spaces such as basements, attics and garages, but even pipes within cabinets and exterior walls can freeze. You can follow these winter plumbing tips to prevent weather-related plumbing issues from happening in your home.
Steps that can help avoid frozen pipes
Before temperatures drop, follow the preventive measures below to protect your pipes.
Here's a quick overview of common frozen pipe situations and how to respond:
| Situation | Why it matters | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Exposed pipes in basements, attics or garages | These areas are more likely to experience freezing temperatures | Insulate pipes and seal nearby air leaks |
| Extreme cold while you’re away | Low indoor temperatures can allow pipes to freeze | Keep heat on and consider letting faucets drip if needed |
| Frozen water pipes with low water flow | Pressure can build and raise the risk of a burst pipe | Shut off water, thaw carefully and open faucets |
| A burst pipe after freezing | Water damage can spread quickly through the home | Shut off water, document damage and contact professionals |
Inside your home
Insulate pipes
- Pipe insulation materials vary based on project needs. Generally, polyethylene foam and fiberglass pipe sleeves are recommended for very cold temperatures due to their high R-values.
- Heat tape for pipes can be applied and turned on during cold weather to maintain temperatures within the pipes. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely when choosing this route.
Seal cracks and openings
- Use caulk or apply spray foam insulation to any cracks that might let in cold air, especially in places where pipes and connections run from inside to outside the home.
Maintain heat
- Keep your thermostat at a minimum of 55-60°F during winter months, even while away.
Open cabinet doors
- Opening bathroom and kitchen cabinet doors allows warm air to circulate around the pipes. Pipes under sinks and in basements are especially vulnerable to freezing.
Let faucets drip
- If you can’t maintain heat in your home during extremely cold weather, consider allowing your faucets to drip. Running water through pipes can help prevent them from freezing and relieve pressure on pipes, making them less likely to burst. (Always heed the advice of your local authorities.)
- When choosing which faucet to drip, prioritize faucets farthest from your water supply and those with pipes on the outside of your home’s insulation.
Install water leak detectors
- If a leak is detected, these water monitoring devices will automatically turn off the water to prevent further damage.
Outside your home
Keep garage doors closed
- Water supply lines or pipes in your garage can easily freeze at low temperatures.
Disconnect and drain hoses
- Close the inside valves connected to your outdoor hose bibs, then disconnect your outside hoses and open the outdoor hose bibs to allow any water remaining in the pipe to drain. Remember to close the bibs again after the water drains.
- Water in connected hoses that freezes can expand and eventually cause pipes to burst. Even frost-proof faucets and freeze-resistance plumbing can burst if a hose is connected.
Insulate external faucets and pipes
- Rubber pipe sleeves and heat tape are common outdoor materials.
- Pay special attention to pipes in unheated areas like garages and crawl spaces.
Drain sprinkler systems
- Sprinkler systems need a final blowout, forcing compressed air through the irrigation lines. Frozen water left in the lines can expand and cause cracks in pipes and fittings.
- Professional winterization services can take care of these tasks if you don’t have a compressor or feel more comfortable outsourcing.
Winterize swimming pools
- If you have a swimming pool, drain the pipes by following the directions provided by the manufacturer or installer.
What to do if pipes freeze
If the water only drips or trickles out when you turn on your faucet, it’s likely that you have a frozen pipe. You’ll need to act quickly to thaw the pipe, but do it carefully to avoid creating any further damage. Here are some tips to get the water flowing again:
Shut off the main water valve
- Make sure you know the location of the main shutoff at all times so you can find it easily during an emergency.
- Turning off the main valve can prevent further freezing and potential bursts.
Locate the frozen pipe
- Frozen pipes will often be in exterior or poorly heated areas like basements and attics.
- You may see condensation or small cracks on the surface of the pipe.
- Frozen pipes will often feel colder than those with running water.
Apply heat
- Wrap an electric heating pad around each of the frozen pipes or heat the areas with a hair dryer.
- Avoid open flames and space heaters placed too close to the pipe, since they can create a fire risk or damage the plumbing.
- Continue applying heat until water flow returns to normal.
Open faucets
- Opening your faucets will allow melted water to flow out while you’re thawing frozen pipes and will reduce pressure buildup inside the pipes.
Contact a professional plumber
- Be aware of the risks of thawing a frozen pipe incorrectly, and make an informed decision on whether to attempt it yourself or call an expert.
If your frozen pipe bursts
Even a small crack in a pipe can cause flooding and serious structural damage. If a pipe bursts, immediately take steps to mitigate the damage:
- Shut off the main water valve
- Turn off electricity in affected areas
Document the damage
- Take photos for potential insurance claims, noting affected items and areas.
Contact a professional plumber
- Reach out to plumbing and emergency services to assess the extent of the damage, and repair and dry out the damaged area.
Reach out to your insurance company
- Understand both your level of coverage and the next steps you’ll need to take.
Does insurance cover water damage?
Coverage for water damage depends on the cause of loss and specific details of your homeowner's policy.
If you've experienced a burst pipe or water damage event, find out how to file a home insurance claim and what to expect from a home insurance adjuster.
Be proactive and regularly maintain your pipes to prevent emergencies, but keep these steps handy so you'll know what to do if pipes freeze.
As the cold season approaches, make sure to check out our tips on how to winterize your home, ensuring you stay warm and avoid any winter-related home issues.
Get an insurance quote today
FAQs about frozen pipes
You can help keep pipes from freezing by insulating exposed pipes, sealing air leaks, keeping your home heated, opening cabinet doors and letting faucets drip during extreme cold if appropriate.
Before leaving, keep your thermostat set to a safe temperature, close garage doors, disconnect hoses and make sure vulnerable pipes have insulation. Some homeowners also install leak detection devices for extra protection.
If pipes freeze, shut off the main water supply, locate the frozen section, open faucets and carefully apply heat using a hair dryer or heating pad. If you’re unsure how to thaw the pipe safely, call a plumber.
Common signs include little or no water coming from a faucet, visible frost on pipes, condensation, bulging or cracked pipe sections and unusual cold spots around plumbing lines.
Yes. If a frozen pipe bursts, water can spread quickly through walls, floors and ceilings, leading to costly repairs and possible mold issues if the area is not dried properly.
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