Guide · 6 min read

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

Why pipes freeze, which ones are most at risk, and how to protect them.

Pipe Freeze Risk Checker

typical January low ~30°F
moderate risk

Moderate freeze risk — protect exposed pipes before cold snaps.

  • Know where your main water shut-off valve is, so you can stop the water fast if a pipe bursts.
  • Before the first hard freeze, disconnect and drain garden hoses and cover outdoor hose bibs (spigots).
  • Insulate pipes in unheated areas — crawl spaces, garages, attics, and along exterior walls.
  • On nights below freezing, let a faucet drip slightly and open cabinet doors so warm air reaches the pipes.

An informational risk estimate from local winter climate normals — not a forecast or a guarantee. Steps are general guidance; call a local plumber for at-risk plumbing.

Open the full Pipe Freeze Risk Checker

When water freezes it expands, and the pressure it builds — not the ice itself — is what splits a pipe. The crack often hides until the thaw, when the line starts leaking. A little winter prep is far easier than a burst-pipe cleanup.

Which pipes are at risk

The most vulnerable runs are the ones losing heat fastest: pipes in unheated crawl spaces, attics, and garages; lines along exterior walls; and outdoor hose bibs (spigots). Sustained temperatures below about 20°F are when trouble usually starts.

Check your risk

The checker at the top of this page combines your local winter climate with how exposed your pipes are to give a risk level and prevention steps.

How to prevent it

  • Disconnect and drain garden hoses and cover outdoor spigots before the first hard freeze.
  • Insulate pipes in crawl spaces, attics, garages, and along exterior walls.
  • On freezing nights, let a faucet drip slightly and open cabinet doors so warm air reaches the pipes.
  • Know where your main shut-off valve is, so you can stop the water fast if a pipe does burst.

If a pipe is already frozen

If no water comes from a faucet on a cold day, a pipe may be frozen. Shut off the main, open the faucet, and warm the area gently — never with an open flame. If a pipe has already burst, a local plumber can respond fast. One tap to call.

Talk it through with a local pro
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