Winter-Proof Your Home: Essential Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes & Water Damage

1/14/2025 (Permalink)

Your home has dozens of pipes, quietly doing their job to keep water moving to and from your house every day. But when cold weather hits, those once-reliable pipes could become a big liability. Just one burst pipe could cost thousands of dollars to repair, plus the cost of repairing the surrounding walls, floors, and fixtures impacted by water damage. You can take a proactive approach to prevent frozen pipes and minimize the risks of related water damage.

Step One: Identify High-Risk Areas

Water expands when it freezes, and there’s water in most pipes whether or not they’re in active use. That water freezing and expanding is what eventually causes pipes to rupture and burst. Some pipes in your home are likely to get colder faster than others. Basements, attics, and anywhere else where plumbing is exposed are the highest-risk areas for freezing pipes. Older pipes, pipes in poorly-insulated areas, and pipes in tight spaces are more likely to freeze, especially when there are sudden, sharp drops in temperature.

Step Two: Take Proactive Measures

Understanding why pipes freeze and where that’s most likely to happen can help you take specific, preventive action to protect your plumbing and your home. Some steps you can take to prevent pipes from freezing include:

• Insulation: Along with making sure your home itself is properly insulated, pipes can be insulated ahead of winter weather to better prevent freezing. Pipe sleeves are a simple and effective way to keep pipes from getting too cold. You may want to consider insulating water tanks as well, depending on where they’re located and how prone your home and area are to lower temperatures.
• Temperature Regulation: Keeping the thermostat on and regulated will also keep the pipes in those rooms temperature-regulated. If you’re traveling during the winter months, keep your thermostat running at or above 55 degrees while you’re away from home. 
• Disconnecting Hoses: Water can get stuck in pipes adjacent to your garden hoses. Draining and disconnecting those hoses during winter keeps those pipes clearer of water that may otherwise be likely to freeze.
• Closing Garage Doors: If any water lines go through the garage, keep the garage door closed during winter. This will keep the temperature in and around those pipes more regulated and will better prevent the colder outside air from freezing them and causing water damage. 
• Finding (and Testing) Your Master Shutoff Valve: Preparation is key. Since you’ll need to shut off your water as soon as you know there’s a problem, it’s best to be certain you know where and how to do that before a high-stress situation occurs. It’s also a good way to ensure the valve itself is in working order.

Step Three: Act Fast if There’s a Problem

Sometimes, winter water damage happens in spite of our best efforts. If you’ve noticed your pipes making strange noises, have smelled something damp or musty, or have seen puddles and leaks, it’s important to act fast. Not only might there be other, hidden burst pipes, but water damage spreads and worsens the longer it’s left unaddressed. As soon as you notice it, turn off your water and call us. We’ll get to work right away on stopping the spread of water damage, and make sure other high-risk areas are protected. If winter water damage has deteriorated the condition of your home, you can trust our experts with a thorough restoration. If your pipes rupture or burst this winter, don’t wait. Call SERVPRO to get water damage assessed and repaired. We’ll fix pipe ruptures and restore any related damage to get your home looking “like it never even happened”— fast!