Steps to Prevent Pipes from Freezing
You can usually tell when temperatures are headed into the danger zone — weather alerts, forecasts, and cold-weather warnings give you a heads-up. When a hard freeze is coming, take action with these simple steps.
Think of it as a checklist:
- Protect exposed lines outside.
- Circulate heat and air inside.
- Keep water moving in the most vulnerable pipes.
Also, if you haven’t already, learn how to avoid pipe condensation — moisture on the outside of pipes can contribute to other problems like corrosion, even when they’re not frozen.
Outside the House
- Drain pools and sprinkler systems. If you have a pool, follow your installer’s instructions to winterize and drain as needed before freezing weather arrives. Do the same for in-ground sprinkler systems — have them blown out or drained so water isn’t sitting in supply lines where it can freeze and crack them.
- Disconnect garden hoses. Always remove hoses from outdoor faucets. Even frostproof hose bibs can burst if a hose is left connected, trapping water in the body of the faucet. Inside the house, shut off the supply valves feeding those hose bibs, then open the outdoor faucet briefly to let any remaining water drain out.
- Winterize evaporative coolers and seasonal equipment. If you have an evaporative (swamp) cooler, drain it fully, turn off the water supply, and disconnect any lines for the season. Do the same for any other seasonal outdoor water lines or appliances.
- Insulate vulnerable exterior sections. Short exposed runs of pipe on exterior walls or coming up from the ground can often be wrapped with foam pipe insulation or protected with insulated covers. It’s a cheap, fast upgrade that adds a layer of protection against wind and extreme cold.
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