In this article…
- 7 Ways To Protect Your Pipes From Freezing
- What to Do If You Have Frozen Pipes
- Bonus Tips to Protect Your Pipes From Freezing
- Protecting Your Plumbing All Winter Long
Winter in Northwestern Pennsylvania is no joke, and when temperatures drop below freezing, your plumbing can take a serious hit (especially if it’s not protected).
Frozen pipes are unfortunately a common occurrence for homeowners and business owners in the North, creating not only an inconvenience but also leading to costly repairs if they burst.
The good news? If you take the proper precautionary measures, you can protect your plumbing and help prevent frozen pipes.
At DEETS Mechanical, we’ve been helping homeowners in the greater Northwestern Pennsylvania area maintain warmth and comfort in their homes all winter long since 2001.
We understand the frustration when something goes wrong in your home because we’re homeowners too, and the last thing you want during an intense snowstorm is to deal with a pipe burst.
We’re here to provide you with all the maintenance and prevention tips for your plumbing, and protecting your plumbing during the winter is essential.
This article will outline seven ways to protect your plumbing from freezing, extra tips to keep in mind, and what to do in case your pipes do freeze.
Then, if you haven’t already done so, you can take the right next steps to caring for your plumbing and avoid disastrous damage.
7 Ways To Protect Your Pipes From Freezing
When temperatures drop, prevention is the best form of maintenance for your plumbing.
If you haven’t already, you want to know what needs to be done to properly protect your plumbing from the cold.
Let’s look at seven crucial prevention tips to follow to keep your plumbing warm and minimize the risk of freezing pipes.
1. Insulate Exposed Pipes
One of the most effective ways to prevent frozen pipes is by insulating exposed plumbing. Pipes in unheated areas like basements, crawl spaces, attics, and garages are most vulnerable.
Use foam pipe insulation or heat tape to keep them warm. You can buy foam insulation at most big box hardware stores or even Amazon.
For an added layer of protection, wrap pipes in heated areas that are still prone to cold drafts to avoid the potential of frozen pipes.
2. Let Faucets Drip
When temperatures drastically plummet, letting your faucets drip relieves pressure in your pipes and allows water to flow.
Even a small trickle of water can help prevent pipes from freezing by keeping water moving through the system. Focus on faucets connected to pipes in exterior walls or unheated spaces.
3. Open Cabinets Under Sinks
Remember to open the cabinet doors under sinks in kitchens and bathrooms during freezing temperatures. This allows warm air from your home to circulate around the pipes, reducing the risk of freezing.
It’s important to also remove any stored chemicals or cleaners from under the sink if you have young children or pets as a precaution.
4. Leave Doors Open to Plumbing Indoors
Along with opening cabinet doors underneath sinks, leave doors to plumbing open as well to allow warm air to circulate throughout your house, keeping pipes at a safe temperature and helping prevent a freeze.
If you have plumbing fixtures in rooms that tend to get colder than the rest of your home, leave the doors to those rooms open.
5. Double-Check All Plumbing Elements
Inspect all plumbing fixtures, including outdoor faucets, hose bibs, and sprinkler systems.
Disconnect garden hoses beforehand and drain outdoor pipes to prevent water from freezing, expanding, and bursting a pipe. Consider installing frost-proof hose bibs if you haven’t already.
Check out this checklist for 8 plumbing elements to winterize around your home!
6. Turn Off Outdoor Water Supply
For an added safety precaution, turn off the water supply to your outside faucets and drain them before freezing weather occurs. This gives you one less thing to worry about freezing in your home.
If you’re concerned about freezing throughout your home’s plumbing, you can shut off the well pump or the main shut-off valve. This is especially important for those with seasonal homes or if you plan to leave your home for the winter.
7. Keep Your Heater ON
Maintain an indoor temperature of at least 55°F or above to help prevent frozen plumbing. This combined with opening doors and cabinets to plumbing will ensure they receive warmer air and keep water flowing.
It’s especially important to keep the heat on if you’ll be away from home, whether on vacation or for the season, to avoid returning to a plumbing disaster.
What to Do If You Have Frozen Pipes
Even with the best efforts, pipes can sometimes freeze even if temperatures aren’t below 32°F yet.
If you suspect or know you have a frozen pipe in your home, follow these steps to help dethaw the pipe, minimize damage, and restore water flow.
- Turn Off the Water Supply: Locate and shut off the main water valve to prevent potential flooding in case the pipe bursts.
- Check for Leaks: Inspect the frozen pipe for any visible cracks or leaks. If you find one, keep the water supply off and call a professional plumber immediately.
- Open Faucets: Open the faucet connected to the frozen pipe. This will allow water to flow once the ice begins to melt, reducing pressure in the pipe.
- Apply Heat to the Pipe: Use a hairdryer, heating pad, or towels soaked in hot water to gradually warm the frozen section of the pipe. Start from the area closest to the faucet and work your way down. Never use an open flame or blowtorch, as this can damage the pipe or cause a fire.
- Maintain Heat: Keep the area warm by increasing your home’s thermostat setting or using a space heater. Make sure the area is well-ventilated if using portable heaters.
- Monitor the Pipe: Once water flow is restored, keep an eye on the pipe for any signs of leaks or damage. If you’re unsure about its condition, contact a plumber for an inspection.
- Prevent Future Freezing: After resolving the issue, take additional steps to insulate the pipe or eliminate drafts in the area to avoid a repeat incident.
If you know you have a frozen pipe and can’t locate the frozen section, can’t access or thaw it yourself, or just aren’t sure what to do, it’s best to call a professional plumber, especially if you suspect a pipe burst or notice visible cracks or leaks around your plumbing.
Keep an eye out for these specific times when you must call a plumber:
- No water coming out of any faucets, which indicates a potential widespread freezing issue.
- Hearing unusual noises when trying to run water, signaling a partially frozen pipe with the potential to burst.
- Visible signs of a burst pipe, such as cracks or leaks.
- Frozen pipes in hard-to-reach locations, like within your walls or under the floor, requiring professional care.
- If you are not confident in your ability to safely thaw the pipe, it’s always best to call in the professionals.
The best rule of thumb to remember is that if you aren’t sure what to do, calling a professional is the best option. If not, you risk potentially damaging your plumbing trying to dethaw a frozen pipe and can further damage your home’s plumbing system.
If you do need to call a professional, try to identify where the frozen piping is as best you can, turn off your main shut-off valve, and try to safely dethaw the pipe. Then when your plumber arrives, they can have a headstart in repairing your plumbing.
Bonus Tips to Protect Your Pipes From Freezing
Along with the seven essential ways to protect your plumbing from freezing, there are a few other tips to keep in mind for further protection.
Here are three more tips to help prevent frozen pipes.
- Install a Pipe Heating System: Heat cables or heating mats can provide additional protection for pipes in extremely cold areas and prevent freezing.
- Know Where Your Shut-Off Valve Is: In case of a pipe freeze or burst, knowing how to quickly shut off your water can save you from extensive water damage.
- Schedule a Professional Plumbing Inspection: A licensed plumber can identify potential weak spots in your plumbing and recommend preventive measures specific to your home, so scheduling a plumbing inspection before or after a major freeze will ensure your plumbing is in the best shape.
Overall, being proactive is the best tip to protect your plumbing from freezing and becoming damaged during harsh winter weather.
Protecting Your Plumbing All Winter Long
Now that you know seven crucial steps to help prevent frozen pipes this winter and what to do if your pipes do freeze, you are well-equipped with the right knowledge to protect your plumbing and take the right steps in case of an emergency.
Even after winter has arrived, it’s never too late to winterize your plumbing and protect it from potential freezing.
Insulating exposed pipes, letting faucets drip, opening cabinets under sinks, and double-checking all plumbing elements with our checklist are some of the most important steps to take to prevent frozen pipes.
Remember to maintain a consistent indoor temperature, especially if you plan to go away for a while, to keep indoor plumbing warm.
If your pipes do freeze, it’s important to locate and turn off your shut-off valve immediately and attempt safe warming methods to dethaw the pipes. If you aren’t sure what to do about your frozen pipes, calling a professional immediately is the best course of action.
Taking these simple yet effective precautions can protect your home and avoid the stress and expenses of dealing with frozen or burst pipes.
Want more tips and tricks on how to winterize your home’s plumbing and avoid frozen pipes? Check out this article that details eight plumbing elements to winterize in your home and how to properly prepare them for winter.
Do You Need Plumbing Repair In Northwestern Pennsylvania?
When something goes wrong with your home’s plumbing, the last thing you want is to get stuck working with an untrustworthy plumbing company.
DEETS Mechanical is here to provide you with exceptional service no matter the extent of your needs, from simple plumbing repairs to sewer line replacements and more.

If you have frozen pipes or need help repairing your plumbing, we’re here to help. Schedule your appointment with DEETS to take care of your plumbing and ensure it lasts all winter long!