How to Protect Against Frozen Pipes in Your Home

Homeowners everywhere, from Alaska to Texas, need to consider the risks of frozen pipes in their homes. Water damage and freezing claims were the second-most frequent type of claims filed in the United States between 2016 and 2020.¹

Homeowners who file these claims lose an average of $11,650. About one in 62 insured homes make a claim related to water damage or freezing each year.¹

Though these are troubling statistics, you can avoid frozen pipes and water damage claims by learning how pipes freeze, taking preventative action, and investing in some tools.

It's important to take precautions whenever the outside temperature is near freezing—temperatures can change overnight, and wind chills leave pipes vulnerable to freezing and bursting. To prevent frozen pipes in the home, you first need to know what kind of pipes you have.

If your home uses copper or galvanized steel pipes, make sure they don't need replacing, as they are subject to erosion and corrosion. Polybutylene pipes—commonly installed in homes 26 to 45 years ago—are especially prone to failure and should be replaced immediately as they no longer meet US building codes.

However, you won't need to replace pipes most of the time, particularly if you take the following measures every Fall:

1. Drain, remove, and store outdoor hoses to keep them from becoming fragile or tripping hazards after a snowfall or freeze. Also, drain water from outdoor lines, such as those connected to swimming pools and sprinklers.
2. Open outdoor hose spigots but close the inside valves that supply them with water.
   • This process causes the water to drain and—in the event of a freeze—expand without bursting a pipe.
   • If you go on an extended vacation, turn off the water to the home and open all the faucets to drain any water remaining in the pipes.
3. Insulate water supply lines and pipes in the garage, basement, attic, and other unheated areas with foam, heating cables, or pipe sleeves. Do the same for pipes under kitchen and bathroom sinks.
4. Make sure your home is enclosed and insulated.
   • Find and seal any cracks, drafts, and holes in the home's exterior. Even small openings can welcome cold air inside, which impacts pipes and heating bills.
   • Enclose crawlspaces and insulate the attic. The added layer of insulation keeps warm air in and cold weather out.
   • Close the garage door to keep heat inside, especially if it closets water supply lines, the water heater, or a washing machine.
5. Keep the thermostat at a consistent setting—no lower than 55º Fahrenheit—during the day, night, and when you're on vacation.
   • You might see a higher utility bill, but it's cheaper than water damage costs.
6. Open the cabinet doors when temperatures fall below 32º Fahrenheit.
   • Opening cabinets allows warm air to circulate around kitchen and bathroom plumbing.
7. Let hot and cold water trickle through your pipes during frigid nights to help prevent them from freezing.
8. Find a local plumber. In the worst-case scenario, you should have the number of a trusted plumbing professional on hand.

You don't have to face frozen pipes alone. The following products can help prevent frozen pipes and protect pipes against bursting.

If the pipes freeze, it's tempting to head to the nearest hotel for some running water, but don't be hasty. Follow these steps to keep a freeze from becoming a disaster:

1. Shut off the main water valve.
2. Call a plumber if the frozen pipe is in an area you can't reach—like underground or in an interior wall.
3. Use warm air to help thaw the pipes if you can access the frozen pipe. You can use a hair dryer, heat tape, or a quality space heater, but don't leave it unattended—space heaters can catch fire.
4. Slowly turn the water back on, watching for leaks. You may need someone to assist you with this step.
5. Repeat steps three and four if the water doesn't resume flowing immediately.

If a pipe bursts before you can thaw it, immediately shut off your water to prevent a flood. Mop up any mess you can reach and contact a plumber. Once the plumber assesses the damage, get started on an insurance claim.

• The Best Water Leak Sensors
• The Best Sump Pumps
• How to Prevent Your Home from Flooding
• How to Know If You Live in a Flood Zone
• How to Do Your Own Water Heater Maintenance

1. Insurance Information Institute, "Facts + Statistics: Homeowners and Renters Insurance." Accessed November 7, 2024.