How to Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter (and What to Do If They Burst)
Learn how to prevent frozen pipes this winter with expert tips on insulation, heat tape, and dripping faucets — plus what to do if your pipes freeze or burst.
One Frozen Night Can Cost You Thousands
It's a scenario that plays out every winter across the country: homeowners wake up, turn on the tap, and get nothing. Or worse — they wake up to the sound of water rushing through walls because a pipe burst overnight. Burst pipes are one of the most common and costly causes of home water damage. A single crack in a frozen pipe can release hundreds of gallons of water in minutes, soaking floors, ceilings, walls, and everything in between. Insurance companies see millions of frozen pipe claims every year. The good news: learning how to prevent frozen pipes is something almost every homeowner can do with a little preparation. Frozen pipes are almost entirely preventable. And if they do freeze, knowing how to respond quickly can mean the difference between a close call and a major disaster.
Why Pipes Freeze (and Burst)
Water expands as it freezes — increasing in volume by about 9%. When water inside a pipe freezes, that expansion has nowhere to go. Pressure builds until the pipe fails. Pipes don't usually burst where they freeze. They typically burst at a weak point downstream, where the pressure spike travels. That's why you sometimes find a burst pipe far from where you'd expect the coldest spot to be. Pipes generally start freezing when temperatures drop below 20°F (-6°C). But even temperatures in the mid-20s can freeze pipes that are poorly insulated or exposed to wind chill.
Which Pipes Are Most at Risk?
Not all pipes in your home carry equal risk. Knowing which ones to focus on during cold snaps can help you prioritize your prevention efforts.
Highest risk locations:
Pipes in unheated interior spaces (basement, crawl space, attic, garage) Pipes running along exterior walls with little insulation Pipes near vents, dryer exhausts, or any gap that allows cold air in Outdoor hose bibs and spigots Swimming pool and irrigation supply lines Pipes inside kitchen and bathroom cabinets on exterior walls
Lower risk (but not zero risk):
Pipes in heated interior spaces Insulated pipes in temperature-controlled areas If you've had a pipe freeze before, that exact pipe — or the same area — is at high risk of repeating the problem.
How to Prevent Frozen Pipes: 8 Proven Methods
1. Insulate Your Vulnerable Pipes
Pipe insulation is the single most effective prevention measure you can take. Foam pipe sleeves are inexpensive ($0.50-$2 per linear foot), easy to install, and available at any hardware store. They're pre-slit down the middle and simply snap around the pipe.
Where to insulate:
All pipes in your basement, crawl space, and attic Pipes along exterior walls Any pipe you've had freeze before For extra protection in extremely cold climates, consider foam insulation with a thicker wall thickness (R-6 or higher). Newspaper wrapped around a pipe in a pinch also provides some thermal protection.
2. Install Heat Tape or Heat Cable
For pipes in areas where insulation alone may not be enough — especially pipes that have frozen before — electric heat tape or thermostatically-controlled heat cable provides active warmth. How it works: Heat tape wraps around the pipe and plugs into an outlet. Some models run continuously; others have built-in thermostats that activate automatically when temperatures drop below freezing. Important: Only use heat tape rated for the specific application (some are for exterior use, some interior). Look for products certified by an independent testing organization (UL or ETL). Follow the manufacturer's installation instructions exactly — improper installation can be a fire hazard.
3. Let Faucets Drip
Moving water is much harder to freeze than standing water. During extreme cold, letting a slow trickle run from faucets served by vulnerable pipes can prevent freezing.
How to do it:
Open both hot and cold taps to a very slow drip Focus on faucets on exterior walls and farthest from the main water supply Even a drip of 1-2 drops per second is enough to relieve pressure and keep water moving Yes, this wastes a small amount of water — but far less than the water from a burst pipe.
4. Keep Cabinet Doors Open
Pipes under kitchen and bathroom sinks, especially those located on exterior walls, benefit greatly from warm air circulation. Simply opening the cabinet doors allows the ambient heat from your home to reach the pipes inside. This simple, free step has prevented countless frozen pipe incidents.
5. Maintain a Consistent Indoor Temperature
Don't turn your thermostat way down at night or when you leave the house during cold weather. Pipes don't know you're sleeping or on vacation — they freeze regardless of the clock.
Recommendations:
Keep the thermostat set to at least 55°F at all times, even when away During extreme cold, set to 68-72°F day and night If you're leaving for an extended period, consider asking a trusted neighbor to check on the home daily You'll spend a bit more on heating costs, but that's a fraction of what a burst pipe repair costs.
6. Seal Air Leaks Near Pipes
Cold air drafts near pipes dramatically increase the risk of freezing. Common entry points: Gaps around where pipes enter through walls or floors Cracks in the foundation Poorly sealed electrical and cable entry points Dryer vent and exhaust openings Use caulk or expanding foam sealant to seal these gaps. This also improves your home's overall energy efficiency.
7. Drain Outdoor Plumbing Before Winter
Outdoor water sources are extremely vulnerable to freezing and should be winterized before the first hard freeze: Disconnect and drain garden hoses: Water left in hoses can back up into the pipe and freeze inside your home Shut off the indoor valve to outdoor hose bibs, then open the outdoor faucet to drain remaining water Drain irrigation systems: Blow out sprinkler lines with compressed air or follow the manufacturer's winterization procedure Drain swimming pool supply lines if the pool is being closed for winter
8. Keep Garage Doors Closed
If your garage has any water supply lines (water heaters, laundry hookups, utility sinks), a cold garage can quickly freeze exposed pipes. Keep the garage door closed during cold weather, especially at night.
What to Do If Your Pipes Freeze
Despite your best efforts, a pipe can still freeze during an unexpected cold snap. If you turn on a faucet and get little or no water, a pipe is likely frozen. Act quickly — a frozen pipe may not have burst yet, and fast action can prevent that from happening.
Step 1: Turn On the Affected Faucet
Keep the faucet open as you work. When ice begins to melt, water will flow — and that flow helps speed the thawing process and relieves pressure.
Step 2: Identify the Frozen Section
Look for: Frost visible on the outside of the pipe A section that feels unusually cold compared to adjacent sections Bulging or deformation of the pipe Freezes most commonly occur where pipes are exposed to cold (along exterior walls, in unheated spaces, near air gaps).
Step 3: Apply Gentle Heat
Safe thawing methods:
Electric hair dryer (hold 6 inches away, keep away from standing water) Electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe Towels soaked in hot water wrapped around the pipe A portable space heater near the area (keep away from flammable materials, never leave unattended) Work from the faucet toward the frozen section — this allows water to flow out as ice melts.
Never use:
Open flame (torch, candle, lighter) Kerosene heater indoors Charcoal or propane device indoors Boiling water poured directly on pipes These methods can cause the pipe to crack from sudden temperature change — or worse, start a fire.
Step 4: Call a Plumber If You Can't Locate or Reach the Freeze
If you can't find the frozen section, if it's inside a wall cavity, or if you've been working for 30+ minutes without results, stop and call a licensed plumber. They have specialized thawing equipment that can reach pipes you can't access. Check all other faucets in the home — if one pipe has frozen, others may too.
What to Do If a Pipe Bursts
A burst pipe is a plumbing and water damage emergency. Every second counts.
Immediate Steps:
- Shut off the main water supply immediately. Don't pause, don't investigate first — turn off the water. Your main shutoff valve is typically: In the basement near where the water line enters the home In a utility closet Near the water meter (outside or in a meter box) Every adult in your household should know where this valve is before an emergency happens.
- Turn off electricity to affected areas. If water is near electrical outlets, the breaker box, or any wiring, shut off the breaker for those areas immediately. If water has reached the breaker panel itself, call your utility company — do not touch it.
- Open all faucets. After shutting the main supply, open all faucets — hot and cold — to drain remaining water from the pipes. Flush toilets once. This reduces the volume of water that will leak.
- Document the damage. Before cleanup, take photos and video of all water damage for your insurance claim.
- Begin water removal. Use towels, mops, buckets, and a wet/dry vacuum to remove standing water. Move furniture and valuables out of the affected area.
- Call a plumber immediately. Burst pipe repair is not a DIY project. During cold snaps, plumbers are busy — call early.
- Call your insurance company. Most homeowner policies cover burst pipe damage from sudden freezing. Report the claim quickly, and keep all receipts for emergency expenses.
- Call a water damage restoration company. Water from a burst pipe spreads fast and penetrates walls, floors, and insulation. Professional restoration crews have the equipment to extract water and dry structures that household tools can't reach.
How to Prevent Frozen Pipes: A Quick Checklist
Before winter arrives:
- [ ] Insulate pipes in attic, basement, crawl space, and garage
- [ ] Install heat tape on highest-risk pipes
- [ ] Disconnect and drain all outdoor hoses
- [ ] Shut off and drain outdoor faucet supply valves
- [ ] Drain and winterize irrigation system
- [ ] Seal gaps and cracks near pipes with caulk or foam
- [ ] Test that you know where your main water shutoff valve is
During cold snaps (below 20°F or during extreme wind chill):
- [ ] Let faucets drip on exterior wall locations
- [ ] Open cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks
- [ ] Keep thermostat set to at least 68°F day and night
- [ ] Keep garage doors closed
- [ ] Check pipes in unheated spaces if accessible
One Last Thought: Know Your Shutoff Before You Need It
The most important thing you can do right now isn't insulating pipes or buying heat tape. It's finding your main water shutoff valve and making sure it actually works. Shut-off valves that haven't been used in years can seize up and fail when you need them most. Turn yours by hand — it should close without excessive force. If it's stuck or hard to turn, have a plumber service it before winter. When a pipe bursts at 2 AM and water is pouring through your ceiling, those 30 seconds you spend looking for the valve could mean the difference between $500 in damage and $50,000.
When You Need Expert Help
Knowing how to prevent frozen pipes is something most homeowners can handle on their own. But when the worst happens and you're dealing with burst pipe water damage, the job often goes beyond mops and fans. Restore Near Me connects you with certified water damage restoration professionals who specialize in burst pipe cleanup and structural drying. Find a vetted local company at Restore Near Me — before this winter brings a surprise you're not ready for.