How to keep pipes from freezing
How to keep pipes from freezing
Burst pipes are one of the biggest headaches a homeowner can face and one of the most common sources of property damage during winter weather. In this guide, we'll explore the different steps you can take to prevent frozen, broken, and burst pipes in your home.
If you're wondering how to stop pipes from freezing, read on to learn more about techniques such as keeping water dripping, adding insulation, opening cabinets, setting your thermostat at 55° F or higher, and other helpful tips.
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How to prevent pipes from freezing
It may take some work to prepare, but you can keep your home and plumbing at a stable temperature and prevent frozen pipes by following these steps:
Set the thermostat
Keep your thermostat set to at least 55° F, whether it's day or night and whether you're home or not. You may be tempted to lower the temperature to save on your energy bill, but repairing a broken pipe and water damage will cost you much more in the long run.
Keep water dripping
Leave the cold water dripping from the faucet that's farthest from the main water valve. Keeping your water running through the pipe can help prevent pipes from freezing, even if it's just a small trickle or drip.
Keep exterior doors closed
Close any exterior doors, including garage doors, especially if you have any water supply lines in your garage. This will keep your home as insulated as possible and prevent any unnecessary leakage of warm air from your house.
Seal leaks
Seal or caulk any cracks or leaks where heat may escape your home. Some common areas include the spaces around dryer vents and any places where pipes run from the inside of your home to the outside.
Drain outdoor spigots
If you have any garden hoses outside of your home, make sure to remove and drain them before the weather gets below freezing temperatures. Make sure the spigot has a cover or insulation to prevent it from freezing.
Many outdoor faucets—also called hose bibs or sillcocks—have an indoor valve to turn off the water leading to the exterior spigot. Turning off the water to the outdoor faucet during the winter can help to prevent frozen pipes.
Open cabinet doors
Keep your kitchen cabinet and bathroom vanity doors open below the sinks. This will allow warmer air from your home to circulate around the plumbing inside, which is especially helpful if your sinks are on an exterior wall.
If you have small children or pets at home, remember to remove any toxic cleaners or household chemicals from the open cabinets first.
Add insulation
Insulate your pipes with pipe sleeves to prevent freezing and improve energy efficiency, lowering your ongoing energy costs. Consider hiring an affordable plumber or handyman to tackle this project. If you don't have insulation sleeves and need a quick fix to protect your pipes on an unusually cold night, you can use heavy towels instead.
If you have time before the temperature drops, insulate your attic, basement, or crawl space to protect your pipes and further reduce your energy bills. Pipes in unheated spaces like these are most at risk of freezing. Insulation costs $1.00 to $4.50 per square foot with installation on average, depending on the type.
Use heat tape
You can use heat tape or heat cables to prevent freezing pipes for $1 to $6 per linear foot for materials alone, depending on whether the item uses self-regulating technology or produces the same heat output when plugged in.
Make sure you use the appropriate product for exterior or interior pipes and pay attention to which pipe material you have. Some heat tapes or cables are rated for melting ice on roofs and are not suitable for PVC pipes.
Run a space heater
If the heat in your home is uneven or you have pipes near an external wall, use a portable heater to supplement your home's HVAC system. Running a space heater costs $2 to $3 per day on average, which is much more affordable than calling a plumber or repairing a burst pipe.
How to thaw frozen pipes
If your water is no longer flowing, your pipes may have already frozen. In this case, you'll have to act quickly to avoid a burst pipe. Repairing a burst pipe costs $150 to $250 per linear foot or $400 to $2,000 total on average.
If you have any broken or burst pipes, go to your main shutoff valve and turn off the water right away. If your pipes are partially or fully frozen but not broken, follow these steps:
Turn on the nearest faucet to a low setting to help melt the ice.
Apply heat to the pipe with a heating pad, hair dryer, hot towel, or space heater. Do not use intense heat, a blowtorch, or anything with an open flame.
Keep applying heat until your water pressure is back to normal.
Check for leaks and cracks in the pipes and at joints.
Check your other faucets to make sure no other pipes froze.
If you can't figure out which pipe is frozen or if it's in an inaccessible area, call a licensed plumber. A plumber charges $75 to $150 per hour, depending on their skill level. An emergency plumbing call costs $120 to $300+ per hour.
At what temperature do pipes freeze?
Water technically freezes at 32° F, but most pipes freeze when outdoor temperatures dip below 20° F. When the temperature drops below this point for several consecutive hours, the water inside your pipes can freeze, expand, and possibly break the pipe.
The probability of your pipes freezing at this temperature depends on the pipe material, location, and how insulated they are. Copper pipes tend to freeze faster than PVC or PEX, for example.
FAQs about frozen pipes
How do I know if my pipes are frozen?
The most common sign of frozen pipes is little to no water coming out when you turn on a faucet. Other signs include:
Frost on exposed pipes
Clanking or banging noises when you turn on the water
Unusual odors coming from the tap
Leaking or gushing water
Visible cracks in the pipes
Can pipes freeze in one night?
Yes, pipes can freeze overnight, especially when temperatures drop rapidly and stay below freezing for several hours. Taking precautions is crucial during sudden cold fronts or extended power outages during winter weather.
How do I prevent pipes from freezing without power?
If your power goes out and your central heater runs on electricity, you'll have to keep temperatures up without heat: Open all sink cabinet doors, set the faucet farthest from the main water valve to drip water, and insulate any exposed pipes. If you're in a prolonged power outage and can't heat your home, you can shut off your water main and drain the pipes.
Getting estimates from plumbers
Contact a plumbing repair service near you and follow these suggestions to find the best person for the job:
Check reviews on HomeGuide or Google.
Make sure you choose a licensed, bonded, and insured plumber.
Get a written estimate for the repair with material and labor costs.
Ask if they'll offer any discounts or specials.
Don't pay in full before they finish the repair.
Ask if they provide a warranty for their work.
Questions to ask a plumbing repair technician
Ask these questions when hiring a professional to repair a burst pipe:
How many similar repair jobs have you done?
How will you determine where the leak is coming from?
Is the damage coming from the water main or inside my home only?
Will the existing plumbing line need any modifications?
Do you install pipe insulation? How much would that cost?
Can you give me a written, itemized estimate?
Does your estimate include labor and material charges?
Will you need a permit for this project? Is that included?
How long does this kind of repair usually take?
Do you have experience billing through home insurance companies?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.