How to Prevent Frozen Pipes
To prevent frozen pipes, insulate exposed plumbing in unheated areas, disconnect outdoor hoses, and keep your thermostat at a consistent temperature day and night. During extreme cold snaps, let indoor faucets drip slightly to relieve pressure.
Insulate Exposed Pipes
Pipes in unheated areas like basements, crawlspaces, attics, and garages are at the highest risk of freezing when temperatures drop.
- Wrap exposed pipes with foam pipe insulation or fiberglass sleeves.
- Pay special attention to the areas where pipes run close to exterior walls.
- Use electrical heat tape on highly vulnerable pipes, following manufacturer instructions.
Prepare Outdoor Faucets
Water left inside outdoor hose bibs can freeze, expand, and crack the pipe extending into your home.
- Disconnect and drain all garden hoses before the first freeze.
- Install insulated faucet covers over outdoor spigots.
- If you have an interior shutoff valve for outdoor lines, turn it off and bleed the line.
Manage Indoor Temperatures
Maintaining a steady indoor temperature prevents pipes inside exterior walls from getting cold enough to freeze.
- Keep your thermostat set to the same temperature day and night during severe cold.
- Never set the heat lower than 55°F (13°C) if you leave for a winter vacation.
- Open cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks to let warm air circulate around pipes.
Let Faucets Drip
Moving water is much harder to freeze than standing water. More importantly, leaving a faucet open prevents pressure buildup if a freeze does occur.
- Turn on faucets connected to exterior walls to a slow drip.
- Use both hot and cold water if the fixture has separate handles.
- The goal is pressure relief, so even a very slow drip is effective.
When to Call a Professional
Call a plumber if your pipes freeze and you cannot locate the frozen section, or if the pipe has already split and is leaking.
What a Plumber Will Do
Plumbers use professional thawing equipment to safely melt ice blockages without damaging the pipes, and can repair any sections that have burst.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my pipes are already frozen?
Keep the faucet open, locate the frozen section, and gently apply heat using a hair dryer or heating pad. Never use an open flame.
At what temperature do pipes freeze?
Pipes typically begin to freeze when outside temperatures drop below 20°F (-6°C) for several consecutive hours.
Can PVC pipes freeze and burst?
Yes, PVC and CPVC pipes can become brittle in cold weather and will burst if the water inside them freezes and expands.
Can PEX pipes freeze?
Yes, PEX pipes can freeze, though they are more flexible than copper and slightly less likely to burst upon freezing.