Winter Prep 101: How to Keep Pipes from Freezing
When winter’s chill sets in, it’s not just your wardrobe that needs to be ready—your home does too! One of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your home from the cold is by learning how to keep pipes from freezing. Winterizing your pipes is a free, straightforward task that can save you thousands of dollars in potential damage. Here’s everything you need to know about keeping your pipes—and your home—safe this winter.
Why It’s Important to Keep Pipes from Freezing
The pipes most prone to freezing and breaking during cold weather are those in unheated or exterior areas of your home. Think basements, crawlspaces, garages, and exterior walls—places that aren’t well-insulated. Among the most vulnerable are the pipes supplying water to outdoor faucets (hose bibbs).
When temperatures plummet, water in these pipes can freeze, expand, and break the pipes or fittings. The worst part? Many homeowners don’t realize there’s a problem until after the thaw, when pressurized water floods their home.
Wind chill can also play a significant role in freezing pipes. If you have pipes or an external tankless water heater in an area exposed to high winds, they can freeze even when the ambient temperature isn’t that low. Wind strips away any residual warmth from the pipes, dropping their surface temperature well below the air temperature. This makes windy areas especially dangerous for unprotected plumbing and highlights why learning how to keep pipes from freezing is essential.
Every winter, we see heartbreaking stories of flooded homes, ruined belongings, and disrupted holidays—all because of frozen pipes. Fortunately, these disasters are entirely preventable with a few simple steps.
How to Identify Pipes That Are Likely to Freeze
Some pipes are more vulnerable to freezing than others. Knowing where these pipes are located in your home can help you take action before the cold weather hits. Here are some of the most at-risk pipes:
- Pipes Along Exterior Walls: These are often found supplying water to hose bibbs or other outdoor faucets. Since they are in contact with cold outdoor temperatures, they’re especially likely to freeze.
- Pipes Connected to Exterior Tankless Water Heaters: Pipes leading to and from external tankless water heaters are directly exposed to the cold and wind, making them highly susceptible to freezing.
- Pipes in Unheated Areas: Pipes located in crawlspaces, attics, basements, or garages are often uninsulated and far from warm, livable areas of the home, leaving them prone to freezing.
- Pipes in Little-Used Rooms: If a room isn’t regularly heated or used, the pipes in that space may freeze when the temperature drops. Guest bathrooms, laundry rooms, or storage areas can be culprits.
By identifying and addressing these high-risk areas, you can take proactive steps to protect your plumbing and prevent problems before they arise.
How to Keep Pipes to Outdoor Faucets from Freezing
- Shut Off the Water
Locate the shut-off valve for your hose bibbs. Most homes have these valves inside, often in a basement or utility room. Turn the valve off to stop water flow to the exterior faucet. - Drain the Line
Go outside to the hose bibb, turn it on, and let the remaining water in the pipe drain out. This eliminates the risk of freezing water expanding inside the pipe. Once it’s empty, close the faucet. - Add Extra Protection
For an added layer of defense, cover the hose bibb with a styrofoam insulator. These are affordable and available at any hardware store. They’re especially useful for faucets exposed to strong winds, which can create temperatures even colder than the air around them.
What to Do If Your Pipes Freeze
Even with the best precautions, pipes can still freeze. Acting quickly can minimize damage and get your plumbing back in working order:
- Turn Off the Water: Locate and turn off the main water valve to prevent pressure from building up in the frozen pipe and causing a burst.
- Inspect for Signs of Freezing: Look for visible frost on the pipe or a complete lack of water flow from the faucet.
- Thaw the Pipe Safely: Use a hair dryer, heating pad, or warm towels to gently warm the frozen section of the pipe. Start from the faucet and work backward to the frozen area. Never use an open flame to thaw pipes.
- Call a Professional: If the pipe remains frozen or you suspect it has burst, contact a plumber immediately to prevent further damage.
Long-Term Solutions for Preventing Frozen Pipes
Protect your home from frozen pipes with a few smart upgrades. Installing frost-proof hose bibbs is an excellent investment for colder climates, as these exterior faucets are specifically designed to prevent freezing. Adding insulation to exterior walls can also safeguard pipes running through these areas, providing an extra layer of protection. For pipes in vulnerable locations, such as unheated crawlspaces, relocating them to interior walls can greatly reduce the risk of freezing. Additionally, upgrading to a smart thermostat helps maintain consistent indoor temperatures and can even send alerts if the home becomes too cold, offering peace of mind during frigid weather.
Additional Tips to Prevent Freezing Pipes
- Wrap Pipes with Insulation: Use foam pipe insulation to cover exposed pipes, especially those in unheated or exterior areas. Insulating sleeves are easy to install and provide excellent protection.
- Seal Drafts Around Pipes: Look for gaps or cracks around pipes entering the home, especially along exterior walls. Use caulking or spray foam to seal these gaps and prevent cold air from reaching the pipes.
- Open Interior Doors: Leave doors open between rooms to help heat circulate throughout your home, especially to areas where pipes are located.
- Use Heat Tape: For pipes in extremely cold or hard-to-reach areas, consider installing heat tape or heat cables. These provide direct warmth to the pipe and are a reliable option for preventing freezing.
- Keep Water Moving: Allow faucets to drip slightly during extremely cold weather. Moving water is less likely to freeze, and the small increase in your water bill is far cheaper than fixing burst pipes.
- Monitor Your Thermostat: Keep your thermostat set to a consistent temperature, day and night. Avoid turning it down too low at night to ensure pipes stay warm.
Bonus Tip: HVAC Maintenance Helps Prevent Frozen Pipes
Your HVAC system plays a crucial role in keeping your home warm during the winter, and a warm home is the best defense against frozen pipes. A well-maintained furnace ensures consistent indoor temperatures, which protect your plumbing.
One of the simplest and most impactful HVAC maintenance tasks is changing your air filters regularly. Dirty or clogged filters restrict airflow, forcing your furnace to work harder to heat your home. This inefficiency increases energy bills and places strain on your HVAC system, which can lead to breakdowns during the times you need it most.
Changing your air filters monthly is a quick and affordable task that ensures proper airflow and keeps your furnace running efficiently. A well-functioning HVAC system creates a reliable shield of warmth, protecting your plumbing from cold-weather damage.
In addition to changing filters, schedule an annual furnace inspection with a professional HVAC technician. This proactive approach can save you money on emergency repairs and give you peace of mind knowing your home is safe from frozen pipes and other cold-weather complications.
The Bottom Line
Knowing how to keep pipes from freezing can save you from the financial and emotional strain of burst pipes and flooding. At Aaron Services, we believe in helping our customers make plumbing decisions proactively, not reactively. That’s why we’ve shared these simple tips to prevent major problems before they happen.
By taking small, straightforward steps like winterizing your plumbing, insulating vulnerable pipes, and keeping your furnace in top shape, you can protect your home and avoid costly repairs. We want you to feel empowered and confident in caring for your home, and we’re always here to offer guidance and support if you need it.
Need help with winter maintenance? Our team at Aaron Services is here to help! Whether it’s plumbing, heating, or cooling, we’re committed to keeping your home comfortable year-round.
Stay warm, stay prepared—and enjoy a stress-free winter!