What are expert tips for freeze prevention & thawing pipes?

Heat tape (electric pipe heating cable) is worth the investment for pipes that freeze repeatedly. It costs $30-$80 and wraps around the pipe with a built-in thermostat. Know where your main water shutoff is before winter. If a pipe bursts, shutting off the water in seconds instead of minutes makes a huge difference. If you're leaving a house unoccupied in winter, drain the system. Turn off the main, open all faucets, and flush toilets. Add RV antifreeze to drain traps. Seal any air leaks near pipes -- a small gap in the exterior wall can direct freezing air right onto a pipe.

What mistakes should I avoid with freeze prevention & thawing pipes?

Using a torch or open flame to thaw pipes. This is a major fire hazard and can also cause steam explosions in the pipe. Leaving the house unheated during a cold snap, even for a day. Only insulating the straight runs and skipping elbows and fittings. Assuming PEX pipes can't freeze. PEX is more freeze-resistant than copper but it can still burst if ice has nowhere to expand.

Freeze Prevention & Thawing Pipes

Maintenance Guide Easy 1-2 hours for prep / 30-60 minutes for thawing $10-$50 for insulation / $200-$500 for pro thawing

Created by Ryan Pietrzak Illinois Licensed Plumber · In the plumbing industry since 2009

Updated February 20, 2026

Key Takeaway

A burst pipe from freezing can dump hundreds of gallons of water into your home in minutes. The repair isn't just the pipe -- it's the drywall, flooring, furniture, and mold remediation. The average insurance claim for frozen pipe damage is over $10,000. Prevention costs under $50 and takes an afternoon. This is one of those rare cases where the math is completely obvious.

Overview

What to Know

Which Pipes Are at Risk

Pipes in exterior walls, unheated garages, crawlspaces, attics, and any pipe that runs near an outside wall. Kitchen and bathroom plumbing on exterior walls is especially vulnerable. Pipes in interior walls are generally safe unless the home loses heat entirely.

Insulation Is the First Line of Defense

Foam pipe insulation sleeves cost $2-$4 per 6-foot section and slip right over exposed pipes. Cover every pipe in unheated spaces. Pay special attention to elbows and fittings -- those are where freezing usually starts because the metal conducts cold faster than the straight runs.

When Temps Drop Below 20F

Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls to let warm air reach the pipes. Let a thin stream of water run from the farthest faucet (moving water freezes slower than standing water). Set your thermostat to at least 55F, even if you're away. If you're leaving for an extended period in winter, consider draining the system entirely.

Thawing Frozen Pipes Safely

If a faucet produces only a trickle or nothing on a cold morning, the pipe is likely frozen. Open the faucet to relieve pressure. Apply heat starting from the faucet end and working back toward the frozen section. Use a hair dryer, heat lamp, space heater pointed at the area, or towels soaked in hot water wrapped around the pipe. Never use an open flame -- torches cause house fires and can superheat water trapped in the pipe.

Pro Tips

Heat tape (electric pipe heating cable) is worth the investment for pipes that freeze repeatedly. It costs $30-$80 and wraps around the pipe with a built-in thermostat.
Know where your main water shutoff is before winter. If a pipe bursts, shutting off the water in seconds instead of minutes makes a huge difference.
If you're leaving a house unoccupied in winter, drain the system. Turn off the main, open all faucets, and flush toilets. Add RV antifreeze to drain traps.
Seal any air leaks near pipes -- a small gap in the exterior wall can direct freezing air right onto a pipe.

Mistakes to Avoid

Using a torch or open flame to thaw pipes. This is a major fire hazard and can also cause steam explosions in the pipe.
Leaving the house unheated during a cold snap, even for a day.
Only insulating the straight runs and skipping elbows and fittings.
Assuming PEX pipes can't freeze. PEX is more freeze-resistant than copper but it can still burst if ice has nowhere to expand.

When to Call a Pro

If you can't locate the frozen section, if the pipe is inside a wall, or if you discover a burst after thawing, call a plumber immediately. Shut off the main water supply first. If multiple pipes are frozen, the issue may be a heating system failure that needs immediate attention.

Bottom Line

Insulate exposed pipes, open cabinets on cold nights, let faucets drip in extreme cold, and never let the house drop below 55F. If a pipe does freeze, thaw it gently with a hair dryer from the faucet end. Prevention is $50; a burst pipe repair averages $10,000+.