Winterizing Your Home to Prevent Frozen Pipe Damage

Winter freeze remains one of the leading causes of burst pipes, and the resulting water damage is often severe because it can happen while no one is home to notice right away. A modest amount of preparation each fall can significantly reduce that risk.

Insulate Exposed Pipes. Pipes in unheated areas — crawl spaces, attics, exterior walls, and garages — are the most vulnerable to freezing. Foam pipe insulation sleeves are inexpensive and simple to install on exposed sections.

Keep a Consistent Indoor Temperature. For occupied homes, avoid dramatically lowering the thermostat overnight or while away during cold snaps; many experts suggest keeping the temperature no lower than around 55°F even when the home is unoccupied, since interior wall temperatures can still drop well below the thermostat setting during extreme cold.

For Vacant or Seasonal Properties. If a property will be unoccupied for an extended period during winter (a vacation home, a property between tenants, or a seasonal residence), consider having the water system professionally winterized — draining the plumbing system and adding non-toxic antifreeze to toilet tanks and traps — rather than relying on heat alone.

Let Faucets Drip During Extreme Cold. Allowing a faucet connected to a vulnerable pipe to drip slightly keeps water moving, which helps prevent freezing since moving water is less likely to freeze than still water in a pipe.

Seal Gaps and Drafts Near Plumbing. Cold air infiltration through gaps around pipe penetrations, foundation vents, or unsealed crawl space openings is a major contributor to pipe freezing. Caulk or spray foam around these openings before winter arrives.

Know Your Main Shutoff Valve Location Before You Need It. In a burst pipe emergency, knowing exactly where your main water shutoff is — and confirming it actually works — can save critical minutes. See our burst pipe emergency guide for the full first-10-minutes response plan.

If a pipe does freeze and burst despite precautions, treat it as an active emergency: shut off the water immediately and call for emergency water damage restoration right away, since the volume of water released by even a single burst supply line can be substantial.