6 ways to stop pipes from freezing – master plumbers share smart solutions to keep water flowing and avoid burst pipes during cold snaps

Arguably, dealing with frozen pipes in 'big freeze' winter weather is more than a nuisance as it can lead to leaks, an outage of crucial services and what's more, is preventable if you take the correct steps to stop pipes from freezing.

Frozen pipes can happy quickly, and burst quicker still, resulting in flooding, structural damage, and mold if not treated quickly enough.

Luckily, there are six simple ways to stop your pipes from freezing, from dripping faucets to using heat tape and other smart insulating tools our master plumbers use. Here, our plumbing pros share them all.

How to stop pipes from freezing like a pro

Preventing frozen pipes is a lot easier and less risky than thawing frozen pipes. When preparing a home for cold weather, make a note of when to worry about pipes freezing so you can take the right precautions to protect your property from expensive damage. Any rapid drops in temperature and big snow systems in your region should be a warning sign for you to take action.

1. Insulate pipes

The easiest, long-lasting approach to prevent pipes from freezing is insulating pipes around your home.

Jordan Flemming, owner of That HVAC Guy says, ‘Depending upon the age of the home, most homes will have a few trouble spots and it is important to focus on those areas when insulating pipework to stop pipes from freezing. Those areas are basements, crawl spaces, attics, and exterior walls. During harsh winters, like we are having now, poor insulation will cause heat to leave the home and increase the chances of pipes getting too cold.

‘I highly recommend using foam insulation [available at Amazon] or heat tape (it truly works wonders). For exposed outdoor pipes, even a quick DIY wrap with a towel and plastic bag can buy you time in a pinch.’

That pool noodle that's been sitting in your garage can also come in handy. Cut, wrap and stick in place to protect your pipes in a pinch.

2. Keep your home warm

Keeping a home warm all day does more than keep you comfortable. Matt Kunz, master plumber and president of Mr. Rooter, a Neighborly company advises, ‘Homeowners can also maintain indoor heat and open cabinet doors to let the warm air better reach the pipes.’

A warmer ambient temperature keeps your pipes and water warmer, preventing ice crystals from forming and blocking up pipes. Draft-proofing your home will also go a long way in keeping your space cozy (while cutting energy bills) and your water flowing, too.

3. Keep water moving

We usually race to fix leaky faucets around our homes, but in winter, it is actually better to leave a few dripping (intentionally, at least).

Roy Barnes, master plumber and co-owner of Service Force Plumbing explains, ‘Moving water can actually handle lower temperatures before freezing. Of course, it will freeze eventually if it gets cold enough, but every little bit helps. More importantly, when water freezes and expands, it exerts pressure on the pipe, and opening the faucet can allow some of that pressure to release rather than build up in the pipe.’

You only need to leave one faucet dripping to winterize home plumbing indoors (ideally the one furthest away from where the water main enters your home), helping you to prevent water waste. You can always collect the dripping water in a bowl or measuring jug (from Walmart), too, to use for watering houseplants or cleaning.

4. Turn off outdoor faucets

While you can let outdoor faucets drip to prevent freezing, Nick Hendrix, general manager at Kingdom Plumbing recommends, ‘Customers should ask that a contractor install an antifreeze hose spigot. The most sure way is to add an interior shut-off valve where you can shut the water to the external pipe and completely drain the water out of it when not in use to keep it from freezing.’

5. Turn water off before vacationing

You should winterize your house even if you are not going to be there over the cold season.

Sydney Archer, of Kiser Construction, advises, ‘If you'll be going on vacation to escape the cold weather, you should turn your home's water off. Before you leave, locate your main water shut-off valve and turn it clockwise to shut the water off to your home. Then turn on all your faucets to drain any water that remains in the pipes. It's a good idea to turn off your water heater as well before you go.’

6. Invest in temperature sensors

Smart home must-haves do more than upgrade your lighting and speakers for a home that wows guests – they can also help protect your pipes.

Danny Pen, president at New Era Plumbing & HVAC says, ‘The smartest will be to install temperature sensors, which monitor freezing risks. You need to place them in key areas like basements, crawlspaces, or near pipes. Also, there are advanced models of leak detectors that feature temperature monitoring. For example, the Honeywell Lyric Wi-Fi Water Leak Detector [available at Amazon] monitors both leaks and freezing conditions. You can pick up any, just check the product specs to ensure it includes low-temperature alerts.’

FAQs

At what temperature do pipes freeze?

Pipes are at risk of freezing when the temperature drops below 32° Fahrenheit, with the risk increasing when the temperature drops below 20° Fahrenheit. To be safe, it is best to insulate all pipes as a precautionary measure anywhere that suffers very cold or long winters.

How long does it take for pipes to freeze?

Pipes can take as little as six hours in freezing temperatures to freeze completely, meaning you will have very little warning before they risk bursting. This is why insulating pipes and taking measures to stop them freezing is a must in freezing temperatures (especially overnight when temperatures drop further and the plumbing will not be in use for longer periods).

Hendrik Vandepoll, of Service Force Plumbing, says, ‘If you already have frozen pipes, the best thing to do is naturally thaw frozen water pipes as it warms up rather than try to thaw them manually. If a frozen pipe is going to break, it probably already has but isn't showing itself yet because it is still frozen. If you leave the house and have frozen pipes, consider turning off the water supply while you are gone, in case water does start to leak from a cracked pipe. And when things start to thaw, be ready to turn off the water if you see any leaks and call a reliable plumber to fix it.’

It's also worth knowing if your pipe has already frozen, do not try to rapidly thaw it as that's most likely to lead you to a disruptive leak. Gradually, slowly defrost.