8 Ways to Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter

Frozen pipes cost American homeowners over $1 billion in insurance claims every year. The frustrating truth is that nearly every frozen pipe incident is preventable with simple, inexpensive steps taken before temperatures drop. Here are 8 proven strategies to protect your home's plumbing this winter.

1. Insulate Pipes in Unheated Spaces

Foam pipe insulation — the kind you can buy at any hardware store for under $1 per foot — is the single most effective defense against frozen pipes. Wrap all pipes in:

• Exterior walls
• Crawl spaces
• Attics
• Unheated garages
• Under mobile homes

This is a Saturday afternoon DIY project that costs $20–$50 and can prevent $5,000–$50,000 in water damage. Use foam sleeves for accessible pipes and wrap less-accessible pipes with fiberglass pipe wrap secured with tape.

2. Install Heat Tape on High-Risk Pipes

Electric heat tape or heat cable maintains a constant temperature around the pipe, preventing freezing even in extreme cold. Look for UL-listed products with a thermostat that activates automatically when temperatures drop toward freezing. Heat tape is particularly effective for pipes that cannot be adequately insulated — outdoor faucet supply lines and pipes in unheated garage walls.

3. Seal Air Leaks Near Pipes

Cold air infiltration is what actually freezes pipes — even pipes in interior walls can freeze if frigid air is flowing past them through wall cavities. Caulk and seal gaps around pipe penetrations through exterior walls, sill plates, and between the foundation and wall framing. Use spray foam for larger gaps. This also improves your home's energy efficiency.

4. Let Faucets Drip in Extreme Cold

Moving water requires much more energy to freeze than standing water. When temperatures drop below 20°F, let both hot and cold taps served by vulnerable pipes drip at a slow, steady rate — you don't need a flow, just movement. Yes, this wastes a small amount of water, but it is far cheaper than a frozen pipe repair. Focus on faucets that are on exterior walls or served by vulnerable pipe runs.

5. Open Cabinet Doors Under Sinks

Kitchen and bathroom sinks on exterior walls often have supply pipes running through the uninsulated exterior wall cavity. Opening the cabinet doors allows heated interior air to circulate around the pipes. This costs nothing and can make a meaningful difference during cold snaps.

6. Keep Your Thermostat Consistent

Setback thermostats save energy by dropping the temperature at night or when you're away — but going too low in winter creates frozen pipe risk. Do not set your thermostat below 55°F, even when the house is empty. If you're traveling in winter, ask a neighbor to check the house daily and ensure heat is maintained. The heating cost difference between 65°F and 55°F for a few days is far less than a frozen pipe repair.

7. Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hoses

Leaving a garden hose attached to a hose bib traps water in the outdoor spigot and the supply line behind it, making them extremely vulnerable to freezing even with a frost-free hose bib installed. Before first freeze every year:

• Disconnect all garden hoses
• If you have an interior shutoff valve for hose bibs, close it and open the exterior spigot to drain the line
• Cover the hose bib with an insulated faucet cover ($5 at any hardware store)

8. Know Where Your Main Shutoff Is

If a pipe freezes and bursts despite your best precautions, the damage is determined almost entirely by how quickly you shut off the water. Every adult in your household should know where the main water shutoff is and how to operate it. Test it — turn it fully off and back on — before winter to confirm it moves freely.

What to Do If a Pipe Has Already Frozen

If you turn on a faucet and get no water or very restricted flow in cold weather, act immediately:

• Leave the faucet open — this relieves pressure as the ice melts
• Apply a hair dryer or heating pad to the suspected frozen section, starting at the faucet and working toward the cold source
• Never use open flame — torch fires are a risk, and sudden temperature change can crack the pipe
• If you can't access or thaw the pipe within 15–20 minutes, or if you hear no water movement, call a plumber — a frozen pipe that bursts before thawing causes far more damage

Plumbing Crew USA provides 24/7 emergency frozen pipe service. Call (888) 766-7573 if you suspect a frozen or burst pipe in your home.