🧊 How to Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter

When the temperature drops, your pipes are at risk. Frozen pipes can crack, burst, and cause thousands of dollars in damage to your home. But with a little preparation, you can protect your plumbing and keep your water flowing all winter long.

Here’s everything you need to know about preventing frozen pipes—before the freeze hits.

❄️ Why Pipes Freeze in the First Place

When water in your pipes gets cold enough (32°F / 0°C), it starts to freeze. And when water freezes, it expands—putting pressure on your pipes from the inside out. The result? Cracked or burst pipes, water damage, and an emergency call to your plumber.

🛠️ At-Risk Areas to Watch

Pipes are most likely to freeze in:

• Exterior walls
• Uninsulated basements or crawl spaces
• Attics or garages without heat
• Under kitchen and bathroom sinks (especially near outside walls)

✅ How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

1. Insulate Exposed Pipes

Wrap vulnerable pipes with pipe insulation, foam sleeves, or even old towels in a pinch. Focus on pipes in unheated areas like basements, garages, and exterior walls.

🧤 Pro Tip: Use heat tape or pipe heating cables for added protection in colder regions.

2. Seal Up Drafts

Cold air sneaking into your home raises the risk of frozen pipes. Check for gaps near windows, doors, and where pipes enter the home. Seal them with caulk or weatherstripping.

3. Let Faucets Drip During Extreme Cold

On freezing nights, let a trickle of water run from faucets connected to vulnerable pipes. Moving water is less likely to freeze.

💧 Even a slow drip can relieve pressure in the system and prevent a rupture.

4. Open Cabinet Doors

Open the doors under your kitchen and bathroom sinks to let warm air circulate around the pipes—especially at night.

5. Keep Your Heat On

If you’re going away during winter, set your thermostat to at least 55°F (13°C). Don’t turn it off completely, even if you're trying to save energy.

6. Drain Outdoor Faucets and Hoses

Disconnect garden hoses and shut off outdoor water lines at their indoor valves. Then drain the faucets to prevent trapped water from freezing.

🚫 Don’t forget to blow out your irrigation system if you have one!

7. Know Where Your Main Shut-Off Valve Is

If a pipe does freeze or burst, shutting off your water quickly can reduce the damage. Make sure everyone in your household knows where it is and how to use it.

🧊 What to Do If a Pipe Freezes

If you suspect a pipe is frozen:

• Turn on the faucet to relieve pressure
• Warm the pipe slowly with a hair dryer, heating pad, or space heater (never an open flame!)
• Call a plumber if the pipe is bulging, cracked, or inaccessible

🚨 A burst pipe can release hundreds of gallons in minutes—don't wait to act.

🧼 Bonus Tip: Winterize Your Whole Home

For seasonal properties or long vacations, consider full winterization:

• Shut off the water supply
• Open all faucets to drain the system
• Flush toilets and add antifreeze to drains
• Have a plumber blow out water lines and prep the water heater

🛟 When to Call a Professional

Some situations are best left to the pros—especially if:

• A pipe has already burst
• You have persistent freezing in certain areas
• You need help insulating or rerouting vulnerable lines

At Mumma Plumbing, our licensed experts can inspect, insulate, and winterize your plumbing for maximum peace of mind. Emergency services available 24/7—even on snow days.

☎️ Stay Warm, Stay Safe

Don't let frozen pipes catch you off guard this winter. For expert help, inspections, or insulation services:

Call Mumma Plumbing at 1-877-853-6866
Or explore more DIY tips on our Plumbing Blog.