When winter weather strikes, dropping temperatures pose a major threat to your home’s plumbing system. Frozen pipes are one of the most common—and costly—winter hazards homeowners face. When water freezes inside a pipe, it expands, creating immense pressure that can cause the pipe to rupture. A burst pipe can discharge hundreds of gallons of water into your home in a matter of hours, leading to severe structural damage, mold growth, and expensive repairs.
Fortunately, preventing frozen and burst pipes is entirely manageable with proactive maintenance. Follow this guide to safeguard your plumbing and protect your property this winter.
Why Pipes Freeze and Burst
Understanding the mechanics behind pipe bursts can help you target vulnerable areas in your home. Water expands by approximately 9% when it freezes. Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t always the ice expansion itself at the point of freezing that splits the pipe; rather, it is the intense water pressure buildup between the ice blockage and a closed faucet downstream.
Pipes most susceptible to freezing include:
Pipes located inside exterior walls with poor or degraded insulation.
insulated pipes running through unheated spaces like basements, attics, crawlspaces, and garages.
Outdoor plumbing, including hose bibs, garden hoses, and swimming pool supply lines.
Prevention is your best line of defense. Taking these preparatory steps before freezing temperatures set in will significantly reduce your risk.
How to Prevent Frozen Pipes Before Winter Arrives
1. Insulate Vulnerable Pipes
Pipe insulation is an inexpensive and highly effective preventive measure.
- Fit exposed pipes in unheated areas (attics, basements, crawlspaces) with foam pipe sleeves, fiberglass wrapping, or thermal heat tape.
- Pay special attention to elbows and joints, ensuring no gaps are left exposed to cold drafts.
2. Seal Air Leaks Near Plumbing
Cold air infiltrating your home can quickly freeze nearby pipes.
- Inspect exterior walls, foundations, and floor joists for cracks or gaps.
- Use expanding spray foam, caulk, or weatherstripping to seal openings around dryer vents, wiring, and outdoor spigots.
3. Protect Outdoor Faucets and Hoses
Install insulated outdoor faucet covers over exterior spigots.
Disconnect, drain, and store all garden hoses before the first freeze.
Shut off the indoor valve supplying water to outdoor spigots, then drain the remaining water from the tap.
What to Do During Extreme Cold Snap Events
When sub-zero temperatures hit, adopt these daily routines to keep water moving and heat circulating around your plumbing.
