Indoor plumbing is one of the most crucial parts of any modern home, but even the simplest one-bathroom plumbing setup needs regular maintenance to function properly. If the mercury in the thermometer drops into the 20s Fahrenheit, the pipes in your house will need protection from the cold. If you’re unsure how to keep pipes from freezing in the winter, don’t worry — Today’s Homeowner has you covered.

    Here are some tips on how to prevent your pipes from freezing and some on how to thaw them out safely if they do. Read on to learn everything you need to know about how to prevent frozen pipes.


    How to Keep Pipes from Freezing

    • Close Garage: Keep the garage door shut to retain warmth around any pipes running through this area.
    • Cover Spigots: Protect exterior faucets by insulating them with foam spigot covers. You can also install frost-proof sillcocks that isolate the valve deeper inside your home’s warm interior.
    • Disconnect Hoses: Remove water hoses from exterior spigots, and allow the hoses to drain completely. Eliminating any standing water prevents freezing.
    • Drain Sprinkler System: Shut off your sprinkler system and use an air compressor to blow compressed air through the irrigation lines to drain all water. This action eliminates any standing water inside the pipes that could freeze.
    • Drip Faucets: Allow both hot and cold water to slowly drip at faucets in the kitchen and bathrooms. The flowing water prevents freezing and relieves built-up pressure from any sections of pipe that do freeze. For single-lever faucets, set the handle in the middle to drip both hot and cold lines. Pay extra attention to any faucets on pipes running through exterior walls.
    • Heat Pipes: Wrap pipes prone to freezing with UL-approved self-regulating heat tape. Heat tape has a built-in thermostat that prevents overheating and fire hazards. Be sure to carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing heat tape and position the tape evenly along the pipe’s length.
    • Insulate Basement: Close and weatherstrip any exterior basement doors and windows to keep cold outdoor air from reaching basement pipes.
    • Insulate Pipes: Insulating hot and cold water pipes in your crawl space, basement, attic, and exterior walls (if accessible) with snap-on foam insulation is crucial. Make sure the insulation fits tightly without gaps. Apply duct tape to joints in the insulation, and miter the foam around elbows so pipe joints are completely covered. These additions prevent cold air from reaching the pipes.
    • Open Cabinets: Leaving sink cabinets open exposes plumbing to indoor heat, which is especially important for any cabinets mounted on exterior walls. In addition, maintain safe heat levels inside your home even while away. Set thermostats no lower than 50°F.
    • Run Icemaker: Set your icemaker to continuously produce ice. This action keeps water flowing through the icemaker’s supply line, which often runs underneath the house.
    • Run Washing Machine: If there is no laundry room faucet, periodically turn on the washing machine’s warm water setting for a few minutes. This cycles water through the washing machine’s supply lines.
    • Seal Foundation: For homes with crawl spaces, be sure to seal the foundation walls with no gaps. Apply caulk or expanding foam to any cracks or openings in the foundation to prevent freezing winds from blowing under the home.
    Today’s Homeowner Tips

    Once temperatures warm back up, monitor your water meter over several hours to check for any plumbing leaks. Dripping faucets and ice makers can mask leaks that may have occurred while pipes were frozen. After the pipes thaw, inspect carefully for any cracks or ruptures. If you have any leaks, you may have to call a plumber to fix them — so be ready for steep emergency plumbing costs.


    How to Thaw Frozen Pipes

    Frozen pipes can quickly lead to costly water damage in your home if they burst. However, thawing frozen pipes requires patience and caution, so work slowly to avoid creating leaks and ruptures. Here are a few tips to safely and efficiently thaw out frozen pipes:

    1. Apply Heat: Use a portable space heater, hair dryer, or UL-approved heat tape to gently heat frozen pipes that have not burst. Slowly move the heat source back and forth along the pipe. Start at the faucet end and work toward the cold section.
    2. Call a Professional: If you can’t locate the frozen section of the pipe or if your pipe has burst, immediately shut off the main water supply. Significant flooding can occur quickly, so call a plumber immediately to safely assess and repair burst pipes.
    3. Check for Leaks: After successfully thawing pipes, inspect all faucets and valves for leaks. Slowly turn the main water supply back on and allow the water pressure to normalize. Monitor your water meter over several hours to check for plumbing leaks.
    4. Never Use Open Flame: Do not use open flames from propane torches, kerosene heaters, or other devices to thaw pipes. These heating methods present a serious fire hazard and can lead to gas leaks. Be on the lookout for any gas leaks, and make sure to know what gas leaks smell like.
    5. Open Faucets: Ensure the faucet connected to the frozen pipe is completely open. This allows water to flow freely through the pipe once thawed and prevents pressure buildup.
    6. Shut Off Water: Before attempting to thaw pipes, locate the main water shutoff valve for your home. Verify the valve closes fully and have a shutoff key ready. This safely cuts off the water supply when thawing pipes.

    So, Is Preventing and Thawing Frozen Pipes Difficult?

    Frozen and burst pipes can cause extensive water damage in your home, but you can avoid problems by taking some simple precautions. Insulating exposed pipes before winter arrives is crucial, and allowing faucets to drip slowly during freezing weather can keep water moving through your pipes and prevent freezing. If pipes do freeze, patience and gentle heat are key for thawing them safely. 

    With proper preparation and caution, protecting your plumbing from the cold weather is very manageable. Taking a proactive approach reduces the risk of needing costly emergency pipe repairs later, saving you a lot of hassle in the process. While preventing frozen pipes isn’t difficult, it will take a bit of effort. However, it’s absolutely worth the time to take precautions so that you don’t have to pay extra to fix burst pipes in the long run.

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    FAQs About Frozen Pipes

    How do I know if my pipes are frozen?

    Signs of frozen pipes include reduced water pressure, no water coming from faucets, or bursts of water that quickly stop flowing. You may also hear gurgling sounds coming from pipes. Checking areas like crawl spaces for frozen sections can help pinpoint issues.


    What temperature do pipes freeze?

    Pipes exposed to temperatures of 15 to 20°F or below for an extended period are in danger of freezing. Pipes in unheated indoor areas like attics and crawl spaces can even freeze at temperatures above 20°F, so use caution.


    Can you prevent pipes from bursting when thawing?

    Turning on faucets connected to frozen pipes allows water to flow out when thawed. This prevents pressure buildup that causes bursting. Apply heat starting closest to the open faucet and work toward the frozen area to slowly thaw the blockage.


    What should you not do when pipes freeze?

    Avoid excessive heat sources like open flames that can scorch or ignite pipes. Do not try to steam pipes using boiling water. Avoid banging on or hammering pipes to break up ice blockages. This is likely to cause cracks and ruptures.


    How much does it cost to repair frozen pipes?

    Repair costs depend on the extent of the damage. Simple pipe repairs like patching small cracks or replacing short sections typically range from $150 to $500. Extensive pipe replacement or damages from flooding can cost $5,000 or more in severe cases.


    Is there a faster way to thaw pipes?

    Not without risks. Applying more heat to thaw pipes faster increases the chances of water pressure building up rapidly. Using higher heat against frozen metal makes pipes expand too quickly, often cracking them. Take your time and be patient when thawing pipes to avoid further damage.



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    Editorial Contributors
    avatar for Mitchell Layton

    Mitchell Layton

    Mitchell Layton is a former professional mover who currently lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mitchell spent years packing and moving for REAL Rock N Roll Movers, a commercial and residential moving company based in Los Angeles that’s primarily staffed with up-and-coming musicians. That gave him plenty of experience navigating box trucks up and down the winding streets of LA. In addition to moving hundreds of happy customers into new homes and apartments all across Southern California, Mitchell has also performed corporate moves on company lots for Nickelodeon, Warner Bros, Universal Studios, Paramount, and more. After pouring blood, sweat, and tears into his profession, Mitchell has all the helpful tips you need for your next move.

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    photo of Jeff Zoldy

    Jeff Zoldy

    Jeff is a writer, editor, and marketer based in Charlotte, North Carolina. He has been editing on the Home Solutions team for over a year and is passionate about getting homeowners the information they need when they need it most. When he’s not working, Jeff can be found at baseball games, golfing, going to the gym, reading, watching movies, and playing video games.

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