Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter With This Fall Checklist

If you can prevent pipes from freezing in the winter, you’ll save yourself a lot of trouble, and I speak from experience. A cabin I bought in the Colorado Rockies, where nighttime temperature can dip to 30 below, had pipes running through the attic. They burst before I even took possession of the property, and the cleanup was a huge chore that had to be addressed before I could even start remodeling.

The purpose of this post is to help you avoid that kind of trouble, and we’ve enlisted a panel of plumbing experts to help. When it comes to frozen pipes, an ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure. So here are nine tips to help you prevent pipes from freezing and avoid the messy cleanup — not to mention the expensive plumbing repairs and the waste of precious water.

What Causes Pipes to Freeze?

The obvious answer is cold temperatures, but that’s really only a partial answer, because it doesn’t explain why all the pipes in a house don’t freeze during a cold snap. What usually happens is that some pipes freeze while others don’t. For example, the pipes feeding the kitchen and bathroom in my Colorado cabin remained intact during the cold winter while those in the attic froze.

To answer the question more accurately, one reason pipes freeze in the winter is because of exposure to cold temperatures. Burst pipes are more common outdoors or in the basement or attic because these areas are usually unheated and not well insulated. Another reason pipes freeze is because the water inside them isn’t moving. When water flows — even if the flow rate is slow — it’s less likely to freeze than if it’s standing still. Both offer clues on how to prevent pipes from freezing.

How to Prevent Pipes From Freezing Before Winter Comes

These tips come from Elizabeth Shavers, who manages an online HVAC and plumbing educational site, as well as Joe Haycock, Justin Cornforth, Joseph Wade and TJ Laury, who all manage plumbing and/or HVAC service companies.

Insulate exposed pipes

“You need to insulate a pipe if these two things are true: it’s in an unheated place like a basement, garage, or crawl space, and you can see the pipe,” advises Cornforth. Outdoor unburied pipes, like the ones that rise to feed spigots, also qualify for insulation. Foam pipe sleeves provide the best long-term insulation, but you can use an old towel and duct tape for temporary first-aid.

Drain pipes that aren’t in use in the winter

“One of the best things you can to do prevent pipes from freezing is to shut off the water supply in those pipes and drain them,” says Wade. “Disconnect hoses from the pipes and leave the outside valve open in case there’s water left in the lines.” If you plan to abandon a cabin or home for the winter, shut off the main water supply and drain all the pipes, using an outdoor faucet. If you have an irrigation system, don’t forget to shut off the water and drain it.

Allow heat to circulate

During an intense cold snap, the pipes under your kitchen and bathroom sinks could freeze, especially if they are attached to an exterior wall. Laury recommends keeping the cabinet doors open to allow warm air into the sink cabinet. It’s also a good idea, says Shavers, to keep interior doors open to allow heat to circulate freely through the house.

Keep a space heater handy, says Haycock. “In extreme cold, you can use it in places where the pipes run.”

Seal cold air leaks

This tip comes from Cornforth: “Put your hand near basement windows, crawl space vents, or where pipes come through a wall — if you feel a draft, all nearby pipes are at high risk of freezing. Cardboard or rags will buy you time, but you need to caulk or foam it as soon as possible.”

Maintain consistent water pressure

“Excessively high pressure can weaken pipes and fittings over time,” warns Shavers, and that makes them more vulnerable to bursting. Check the pressure gauge on your water system, and if it’s greater than about 50 psi, adjust the pressure downward using the valve on the pressure regulator.

Check your shut-off valves

Before winter sets in, make sure you know where all your shut-off valves are, and test each one to verify that it isn’t stuck. “In case of a pipe burst, the best thing you can do is turn off the shut-off valve quickly, says Cornforth. “Every second missed is around a gallon of water pouring into your home. It’s important not only to do things to prevent the problem but also to be ready for it — because once a pipe bursts, your only defense is how fast you can stop the water.”

Let faucets drip

This is a tried and true method to prevent pipes from freezing, and it’s something you should do if you expect a particularly cold night. “During extreme cold weather,” says Laury, “two simple things will help prevent frozen pipes: opening the cabinets under the sinks and letting the faucets drip. Keeping the cabinet door open will let warm air in, and letting the faucets drip will keep water moving. Both reduce the risk of freezing.”

Put together an anti-freeze kit

Despite your best preparations to prevent the pipes from freezing, you may need extra resources during extremely cold weather, so Cornforth suggests putting together an emergency kit. It should include a small space heater, a roll of UL-listed heat tape or a self-regulating heating cable, a couple of foam faucet covers, and even a few old towels you can wrap around a pipe in a pinch.

Consider smart technology

“Nowadays,” says Wade, “smart home technology has become a reliable source for homeowners looking to apply another line of defense. Smart sensors and automatic shut-off valves installed by professional plumbers are great tools that can detect drastic temperature changes, as well as detect water in the home where it shouldn’t be. If the sensors detect a problem, it will notify you through the app and shut off the water to prevent water damage.”

How to Prevent Pipes Freezing When You Have No Heat

It depends on how long you expect to be without heat. If it’s just a few hours or a couple of days, let the faucets drip to keep water moving in the pipes, insulate vulnerable pipes and, if necessary, use electric or propane space heaters to supply heat to those that are most vulnerable.

If you’re going to be without heat for an extended period, our experts agreed that the most effective strategy is to shut off the water and drain the pipes.

How To Prevent Water Leaks Before Winter Comes

Our experts were also in agreement on Haycock’s advice: “Address small leaks and corrosion well before winter. The tiniest leaks can become huge problems if they freeze. Make sure all fittings are tight, and water pressure is at an appropriate level.”

FAQs

At what temperature do pipes freeze?

Water freezes at 32 F, but it has to be much colder than that for pipes to freeze. Here again our experts agree that the temperature has to reach 20 F and stay there for several hours for that to happen.

What’s the minimum temperature to keep pipes from freezing?

Cornforth’s advice: “If your house is well insulated, keeping the temperature at a minimum of 55 degrees should prevent pipes from freezing. If you live in an older house with poor insulation, aim for 60.”

About the Experts

• Elizabeth Shavers is the General Manager for HVAC and Plumbing at Oncourse Home Solutions.
• Joe Haycock is Vice President at Fresh Air Concepts, LLC, a company specializing in HVAC and plumbing services.
• Justin Cornforth is the owner of Ace Home Co, a family-owned company founded in 2017.
• Joseph Wade is the Vice President of Operations at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, which more than 300 locations across North America.
• TJ Laury is a co-owner and President of Ben’s ProServ, founded with his father, Ben, and brother-in-law, Stan.

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