How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in Winter: 7 Steps
Table of Contents
How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in Winter: 7 Practical Steps
Which Pipes Are Most at Risk and How to Inspect Them
What Temperature Do Pipes Freeze?
How to Insulate Water Pipes in Cold Spaces
Seal Drafts and Keep Indoor Heat Steady
How to Prevent Pipes From Freezing When Away
What to Do When Pipes Freeze
What never to use
If the pipe has already burst
If you rent
Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: October 6, 2026
How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in Winter: 7 Practical Steps
A frozen pipe can go from a minor annoyance to a flooded basement in hours. Water expands as it freezes, and that pressure can split copper, PEX, or steel. When it thaws, the water escapes fast. The good news is that you can prevent frozen pipes with a handful of simple habits, most of which cost nothing.
This guide walks you through seven steps to winterize homes across Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, and Fairfield Counties. Below, we'll show you exactly how to protect your water pipes before the first hard freeze, plus what to do if one already froze.
Frozen pipe prevention is the practice of keeping water in your pipes above freezing temperature by controlling heat, airflow, and exposure to cold air. It comes down to three things: keep the heat in, keep the cold out, and keep the water moving.
Here are the seven steps, in order of impact:
Insulate exposed pipes in cold spaces
Seal drafts and air leaks near pipes
Keep indoor heat steady, day and night
Let faucets drip during extreme cold
Open cabinet doors to circulate warm air
Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses
Shut off and drain lines when you leave
The American Red Cross winter storm safety guidance recommends many of these same steps before a cold snap hits. We'll cover each one in detail. But first, here's what most guides skip: knowing which pipes are actually at risk.
Which Pipes Are Most at Risk and How to Inspect Them
The pipes most likely to freeze are those running along exterior walls, in unheated areas, and anywhere cold air can reach them. That includes crawl spaces, garages, attics, basements, and cabinets against outside walls.
A common mistake is insulating every pipe in the house. In practice, you only need to focus on the vulnerable ones. Check these spots first:
Pipes along exterior walls, especially under sinks
Water lines in the crawl space or basement
Pipes in the garage, attic, or any unheated room
Outdoor faucets and exterior hose bibs
The main water line where it enters the home
To inspect, run your hand along each pipe. Look for cracks, gaps in insulation, and any spot where cold air blows directly on the pipe. Fix what you find before the temperature drops.
Pro Tip The pipes most people miss are the ones behind the washing machine and under the kitchen sink against an exterior wall.
What Temperature Do Pipes Freeze?
Water pipes typically begin to freeze when the temperature around them drops to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, though the risk starts sooner. The exact point depends on insulation, pipe location, and how long the cold lasts.
KSTP 5 Eyewitness News
The real danger zone is the air around the pipe, not the weather report. A pipe in an unheated crawl space can freeze even when the outdoor temperature is above 20 degrees. That's why many plumbers suggest keeping indoor temperatures at 55 degrees or higher, even when you're away.
Cold weather is cumulative. A single cold night rarely bursts a pipe. Several days of extreme cold, with the heat off or a draft blowing on the pipe, is what does the damage.
How to Insulate Water Pipes in Cold Spaces
Insulating water pipes is the single most effective step you can take. Foam pipe insulation, pipe wrap, and heat tape all work, and each fits a different situation.
Here's how to insulate pipes the right way:
Measure each pipe run and buy the correct foam sleeve size
Slide the insulation over the pipe and press the seam closed
Tape the seams and ends so no bare pipe shows
Wrap heat tape around pipes in the coldest spots, following the maker's directions
Insulate outdoor faucets with a foam cover or insulated cap
The thing nobody tells you about heat tape is that it needs power to work. If the outlet it plugs into is on a switch, leave that switch on all winter.
Watch Out Never wrap heat tape over itself or overlap it. Overlapping heat tape can overheat and start a fire. Follow the manufacturer's spacing exactly.
Seal Drafts and Keep Indoor Heat Steady
Cold air finds every gap. Sealing drafts and air leaks near your pipes keeps them warmer without touching your thermostat.
Walk your home and check for these common leak points:
Cracks around pipes where they pass through exterior walls
Gaps under doors and around windows
Open air vents and unsealed access doors to crawl spaces
Holes where cables and lines enter the house
Use caulk, foam sealant, or weatherstripping to close each gap. Then keep your thermostat set at a steady temperature. A common mistake is turning the heat down at night during a cold snap. That overnight dip is often what freezes a pipe.
Keep heat on in every room with plumbing, even spare bathrooms and laundry rooms.
How to Prevent Pipes From Freezing When Away
Pipes freeze fastest in empty homes, because there's no one using water and no one noticing the cold. If you're leaving for a trip or closing a seasonal property, take extra steps.
For a short trip during mild weather, keep the heat on at 55 degrees or higher. For longer trips or vacant homes, do this:
Shut off the main water supply
Drain the water lines by opening every faucet
Drain the water heater if the home will sit empty through winter
Leave cabinet doors open under sinks
Ask a neighbor or property manager to check the home
Renters should tell their landlord about any cold spots or drafty pipes. In many cases, the landlord is responsible for repairs, and a quick call can prevent a burst pipe later.
Key Takeaway The single most important rule for an empty home: shut off the water and drain the lines. A pipe can freeze and burst with no one there to catch it.
What to Do When Pipes Freeze
A frozen pipe is not a burst pipe yet. If you act fast and thaw it safely, you can often avoid water damage and a costly repair. The sequence below is the one most plumbers follow, and it starts before you touch the pipe.
Step 1: Confirm it's actually frozen, not just closed off. Turn on the nearest faucet and watch the flow. If little or no water comes out, or if it sputters, the blockage is between that faucet and the water meter. Feel along the pipe for a frosty, sweating, or slightly bulging spot. A bulge is a warning sign the pipe may already be split.
Step 2: Know where your main shutoff is before you need it. Find the main water shutoff valve now, while the pipe is still intact. In most homes it's in the basement, crawl space, utility closet, or near the water meter. For a home on a private well, the shutoff is usually on the pressure tank or the line leaving it. Test the valve once a year so it isn't seized when you need it. If you can't find it, ask your water utility or a licensed plumber to show you.
Step 3: Open the nearest faucet. This gives melting water somewhere to go and relieves pressure in the line while you work. Leave it open until full pressure returns.
Step 4: Thaw from the faucet end toward the frozen spot. Start at the fixture and work back toward the blockage, so melting water can escape instead of being trapped. Warm the pipe with a hair dryer, a heat lamp, a space heater aimed at the pipe, or towels soaked in hot water and wrung out. A common pattern is that the frozen section is right where the pipe meets an exterior wall or where cold air blows on it.
Step 5: Watch for the thaw. You'll know it worked when water starts flowing normally and the pipe feels warm along its length. If the flow stays weak, there may be a second frozen section further along the run.
What never to use
Never use an open flame, propane torch, charcoal, or a heat gun on high. These are the leading causes of house fires during thaw attempts, and they can also crack the pipe from thermal shock. Never pour boiling water directly on a frozen pipe, and never use a blowtorch on a pipe you can't see the full length of.
If the pipe has already burst
Shut off the main water supply immediately, then open the lowest faucet in the house to drain the lines. If the burst is on the supply side of the shutoff, call your water utility to shut off at the meter. Then call a licensed plumber. Do not run a space heater or shop vac near standing water, and do not use electrical devices in a flooded area.
If you rent
Tell your landlord or property manager in writing as soon as you notice a frozen or slow line. In most cases the landlord is responsible for repairs to the plumbing and for restoring heat, and a written notice creates a record if the pipe later bursts. If you can't reach them and the pipe is actively leaking, shut off the main valve if you can safely reach it, then call a licensed plumber and your landlord.
Watch Out If you can't find the frozen spot, if the pipe is bulging, or if you see any water, stop and call a licensed plumber. A pipe that has already split can release hundreds of gallons before you notice.
The CDC guidance on preventing and thawing frozen pipes notes that knowing where your main shut-off valve is can prevent major water damage. Our team at Bamm's HVAC & Plumbing handles emergency plumbing calls across the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what temperature should you let your faucets drip?
Start a slow drip when outdoor temperatures are forecast to drop below 20°F, and keep it going through the coldest overnight hours. Open the cabinet doors under the sink first so warm indoor air reaches the pipes. Let the faucet farthest from the main water supply drip, since it draws water through the most vulnerable stretch of pipe. A pencil-thin stream of cold water is enough to relieve pressure and reduce the chance of a burst pipe.
Will frozen pipes unfreeze on their own?
Sometimes a frozen pipe thaws on its own when outdoor temperatures rise, but waiting carries real risk. While the pipe stays frozen, blocked water can build pressure between the ice and a closed faucet, which is what causes pipes to burst. If you know a pipe is frozen, thaw it safely with a hair dryer, heat lamp, or portable space heater, or call a licensed plumber. Never use an open flame or leave a space heater unattended.
How can you keep pipes from freezing when you are away?
Before leaving a vacant home or seasonal property, set the thermostat no lower than 55°F, shut off the main water supply, and drain the system by opening every faucet and flushing each toilet. For longer absences, add pipe insulation or heat tape to vulnerable lines in the crawl space, garage, and along exterior walls. Ask a neighbor to check the property weekly, or install a smart thermostat you can monitor remotely.
Which pipes in a home are most likely to freeze?
Pipes along exterior walls, in unheated basements, crawl spaces, garages, and attics are the most vulnerable. Outdoor faucets, exterior hose bibs, and any plumbing that runs through a backflow device are also at risk. Inspect these areas for missing pipe insulation, cracks, or drafts from air vents and access doors. Adding pipe wrap or heat tape to these spots before the first hard freeze is the simplest way to prevent frozen pipes.
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