Preventing Frozen Pipes This Winter (and What to Do If One Bursts)
Frozen pipes are one of the most common and most preventable causes of winter water damage. When water freezes inside a pipe, it expands — and that pressure is what causes the pipe to crack or burst, often in a spot you won't discover until it thaws and starts leaking.
Which pipes are most at risk
Pipes in unheated spaces — exterior walls, attics, crawlspaces, basements, and garages — are the most vulnerable, especially if there's little insulation between the pipe and the cold outside air.
Prevention steps that actually help
- Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas with foam pipe sleeves
- Seal gaps and cracks near where pipes enter the home from outside
- Keep your thermostat at a consistent temperature, even when you're away
- Let faucets drip slightly during extreme cold snaps to keep water moving
- Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls to let warm air reach the pipes
- Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses before the first hard freeze
If a pipe freezes but hasn't burst
Keep the faucet open, apply gentle heat to the frozen section (a hair dryer or heating pad works; never use an open flame), and call a plumber if you can't locate the frozen section or thaw it safely yourself.
If a pipe already burst
Shut off your main water valve immediately, then follow the same first steps as any burst pipe: protect what you can, photograph the damage, and submit a request so it can be routed to a local water damage contractor for extraction and drying before mold becomes a second problem on top of the first.
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