How to Prevent Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes are a common winter plumbing problem, but many freezes are preventable with simple preparation. Steps like winterizing outdoor faucets, allowing faucets to drip during extreme cold, opening under-sink cabinets, understanding how to shut off your home’s water supply, and planning ahead for power outages or travel can help prevent frozen pipes and reduce the risk of burst pipes and water damage.
Video: Simple Ways to Prevent Frozen Pipes
This short video walks through the most important steps homeowners can take to prevent frozen pipes, including winterizing outdoor faucets, opening under-sink cabinets, and letting faucets drip during extreme cold.
The good news is, most of the steps you can take to avoid frozen, burst pipes are simple and free or inexpensive. Frozen pipes are a great example of where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
With just a few proactive steps, you can prevent thousands of dollars of damage to your home. Of course, this is general advice and every home is different. Consulting a professional is always best.
Why Frozen Pipes Are a Bigger Risk in the South
Many homeowners are surprised to learn that frozen pipes can actually be more common in southern regions, including areas like Atlanta.
In colder northern climates, plumbing systems are designed with long, sustained freezes in mind. Water lines are typically buried deeper, pipes are more consistently insulated, and homes are built assuming prolonged cold weather.
In the South, cold weather is more of a phenomenon than a guarantee. Because freezing temperatures don’t usually last as long, plumbing systems often aren’t built with the same level of protection. As a result:
Water lines may not be buried as deeply
Pipes in garages, attics, and exterior walls may have minimal insulation
Tank water heaters are commonly installed in garages
Exterior tankless water heaters often operate perfectly year-round but can freeze during sudden cold snaps
When temperatures drop quickly, plumbing systems that aren’t designed for extended freezes can be caught off guard. This is why preparation matters even during short cold events.
How to Winterize Outdoor Faucets
One of the most effective ways to prevent frozen pipes is winterizing outdoor faucets.
If your home has an indoor shutoff valve for exterior faucets, turn it off and drain the remaining water from the line. This removes water that could freeze inside the pipe. If your home has frost-free hose bibs, make sure hoses are disconnected so the faucet can fully drain. Once winterized, you can further prevent frozen pipes by covering your outdoor faucets (also called hose bibbs) with insulated covers.
Outdoor faucets are especially vulnerable because they’re directly exposed to cold air. A few minutes of preparation can prevent one of the most common causes of winter pipe damage.
Let Faucets Drip During Extreme Cold
During sustained freezing temperatures, letting faucets drip slightly can help prevent frozen pipes.
A slow, steady drip keeps water moving through the pipe, making it harder for ice to form and reducing pressure if freezing begins. This is especially helpful for:
Faucets on exterior walls
Fixtures farthest from the main water supply
The goal is not a steady stream — just enough movement to reduce freezing risk during extreme cold.
Open Under-Sink Cabinets to Allow Warm Air to Circulate
Pipes under sinks — particularly in kitchens and bathrooms on exterior walls — are more likely to freeze because they’re enclosed and cut off from warm air.
Opening cabinet doors allows heated air from the home to circulate around the pipes. This simple step is often overlooked but can make a meaningful difference during cold weather. Think warm and cozy for those problem areas to prevent frozen pipes during code snaps.
What to Do If You Lose Power or Plan to Leave Home
If you expect to lose power during freezing weather, or if you’re leaving home for an extended period, reducing the amount of water in your pipes can help prevent frozen pipes or resulting damage.
Turning off the main water supply and opening faucets allows water to drain from the system, leaving less water behind that could freeze. If you’re staying in the home but have turned off the water, you can:
Catch water ahead of time for drinking
Use stored water for washing
Flush toilets by pouring water into the bowl
When the water is turned back on, you may hear loud banging or rushing sounds as air works its way out of the lines. While this can be startling, it’s generally harmless and temporary.
Know How to Shut Off the Water to Your Home
Knowing how to shut off your home’s water supply is one of the most important steps in preventing serious water damage if a pipe freezes and bursts.
Every homeowner should know:
Where the main water shutoff is located
How to turn it off
That it’s accessible year-round
- Whether it’s in good working order (gate valves, versus ball valves, can mean major headaches)
Being able to shut off the water quickly can dramatically reduce damage while you wait for help.
Why a Ball Valve Is Better Than a Gate Valve
If possible, your main water shutoff should be a ball valve, not a gate valve.
Gate valves are common in older homes, but they’re known for failing over time. They can become stuck in the open or closed position, leaving homeowners unable to shut the water off — or unable to turn it back on once it’s closed.
Ball valves, on the other hand, provide:
Clear on/off positioning
More reliable operation
Better performance during emergencies
Upgrading to a ball valve can make a significant difference when quick action matters.
If You Can’t Shut the Water Off at the House
If your home’s main shutoff valve won’t operate, water can usually be shut off at the street using a meter key. This valve is typically located in a meter box near the curb.
Knowing where the meter is — and having access to a meter key — can be extremely helpful in an emergency when interior shutoff valves fail.
Watch for Early Warning Signs of Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes don’t always fail immediately. Early warning signs can include:
Reduced or no water flow
Frost on visible pipes
Unusual noises when turning on faucets
Addressing these signs early can reduce the risk of a burst pipe once temperatures rise.
In some cases, damage caused by freezing temperatures doesn’t show up immediately. Cracked or stressed pipes can later turn into a water line leak, which is why it’s important to watch for changes in water pressure, unexplained moisture, or rising water bills after a freeze.
How Insurance Claims Often Work With Frozen Pipes
We’re not an insurance company, and coverage always depends on your specific policy, but it helps to understand how frozen pipe situations are commonly handled. We always recommend taking preventative steps to avoid burst pipe insurance claims (especially when they’re simple and free), but it’s good to be informed.
In many cases, a sudden pipe burst caused by freezing temperatures may be covered by homeowners insurance. Policies often cover not only the repair of the damaged pipe itself, but also the work required to access the pipe and repair water damage caused by the burst. This can include damage to walls, ceilings, flooring, and personal property affected by the leak.
Coverage typically applies to sudden and accidental damage, which is why frozen pipe bursts are often treated differently than long-term leaks or deferred maintenance issues. That said, every policy is different, and it’s always best to confirm details directly with your insurance provider.
When significant water damage occurs, plumbing repair is usually only part of the solution. A reputable plumbing company will often work alongside a reputable water mitigation or restoration company to help with water extraction, drying, and cleanup. This coordinated approach helps limit further damage and supports a smoother insurance claims process.
We’ve created a separate guide that walks through this process in more detail so homeowners know what to expect if a frozen pipe leads to an insurance claim.
Still, it’s generally much easier to prevent frozen pipes rather than deal with the damage and potential insurance claim that can arise from a frozen pipe situation.
Better Preparation Helps Prevent Frozen Pipes
Learning how to prevent frozen pipes isn’t about complicated systems or expensive upgrades. It’s about understanding how your home’s plumbing is built and taking simple steps before cold weather arrives.
Better preparation leads to fewer winter surprises — and better peace of mind when temperatures drop.