| John Bosman | 1,235 words
A frozen pipe can turn into a major water loss quickly: State Farm says more than 20,000 frozen-pipe and winter water claims from January 2024 through June 2025 led to over $628 million in paid losses, with average claim payments above $30,000. The same source notes that a small crack can release more than 250 gallons of water in a day. These six steps can lower the chance of a freeze and help you act quickly if a pipe is already freezing.
Short answer
Preventing frozen pipes comes down to keeping water lines warm, protected, and moving in extreme cold. Focus on steady heat, insulation, outdoor-line preparation, cabinet airflow, and knowing the main shutoff.
Reader checkpoint
- Do you know where your main water shutoff is and how to turn it off?
- Which pipes run along exterior walls, through crawl spaces, or in the garage?
- Will the home be empty for more than a few days this winter?
Quick answer
Prepare before the next deep cold snap.
Keep the heat steady, protect exposed plumbing, and take a few minutes now to locate the main shutoff. If flow drops to a trickle, treat it as a possible frozen pipe; keep the faucet open, warm the pipe safely, and avoid an open flame.
At a glance
What to identify before the next decision
| Main issue | A frozen pipe can become a high-cost water loss quickly; State Farm reported average frozen-pipe and winter-water claim payments above $30,000. |
|---|---|
| Common blind spot | Assuming any frozen-pipe damage is covered even if the heat was off or the home was left empty without the precautions the policy requires. |
| Useful document | Your homeowners declarations page and any policy terms that address vacancy, heating, or freezing. |
| Best next step | Home Insurance Coverage Checkup. |
1. Disconnect and drain hoses and outdoor water lines
Remove and drain garden hoses before sustained freezing weather. Shut off the inside supply to outdoor spigots when your setup allows, open the exterior faucet so residual water can drain, and follow the installer’s directions for sprinkler or other outdoor water lines.
Water left in an outdoor line can expand as it freezes. Draining it reduces pressure before cold weather arrives.
2. Insulate exposed pipes
Look first in crawl spaces, attics, basements, garages, utility rooms, and under sinks against exterior walls. Foam pipe sleeves are a practical layer of protection for exposed hot and cold water lines, especially where the home’s insulation is thin.
Heat cable can also be appropriate for some pipes, but use it only according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Insulation and approved heat products reduce risk; they do not replace heat in the home.
3. Seal cold-air leaks near pipes
Cold air can reach plumbing through gaps at rim joists, dryer vents, crawl-space openings, and penetrations around utility lines. Check those areas before winter and seal gaps with materials appropriate for the surface and fire-safety requirements.
This step matters most where a pipe sits close to an exterior wall or an unheated space. A small air leak can make one short run of pipe much colder than the thermostat setting suggests.
4. Keep the heat steady day and night
The American Red Cross recommends keeping the thermostat at the same temperature during the day and night during cold weather. Reducing the nighttime setback can cost more to heat, but it helps avoid a much larger repair if a pipe freezes and bursts.
If you will be away, leave the heat on and set it no lower than 55°F. Your own policy may impose additional vacancy or heating conditions, so confirm the wording rather than assuming the same rule applies to every insurer.
5. Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls during cold snaps
Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors when temperatures are especially low so warmer room air can reach plumbing under sinks. This is particularly helpful for cabinets on exterior walls or above unheated areas.
Move cleaners and other hazardous household products out of children’s reach before leaving cabinets open. The goal is airflow around the pipes, not unattended access to chemicals.
6. Let a faucet drip during extreme cold
During extreme cold, let cold water drip from a faucet served by an exposed pipe. Even a small flow can make freezing less likely because water is moving through the line.
You do not necessarily need every faucet running. Focus on the faucets connected to plumbing most exposed to cold, and use this step alongside steady heat and insulation rather than in place of them.
Find your main water shutoff now, before it is an emergency
Locate the main water shutoff and make sure the adults who may be home know how to use it. It is commonly near the water meter, where the main line enters the house, or in a utility area, but the location varies.
Label it if necessary and make sure access is not blocked by storage. A fast shutoff can limit the amount of water released while you wait for a plumber after a burst.
If a pipe freezes or bursts
Low water flow or only a trickle from a faucet can signal a frozen pipe. Keep the faucet open and warm the pipe gradually with a hair dryer or an electric heating pad, beginning near the faucet so melting water has a place to go.
Never use an open flame. If a pipe bursts, shut off the main water valve, call a licensed plumber, document visible damage when it is safe to do so, and notify your insurance agent or carrier promptly.
How coverage typically works
Sudden, accidental water damage from a burst pipe is typically covered by homeowners insurance, subject to the policy terms and deductible. Damage from gradual leaks, wear, or poor maintenance typically is not covered, and many policies limit freezing-related coverage when a vacant home was not heated or its water was not shut off and drained.
The answer depends on the policy and the facts. If you will leave the home empty, review how to protect a vacant home before you travel; for another winter water risk, learn how to reduce ice-dam damage.
A seasonal view of related home decisions is available in this guide: Winter Home Protection Guide.
Defined Q&A
Common questions about home insurance
Does homeowners insurance cover frozen pipes?
Often, sudden and accidental water damage from a burst pipe is covered, subject to the policy and deductible. Coverage can be limited when damage results from poor maintenance, a gradual leak, or a vacant home that was not heated or properly protected under the policy terms.
What temperature should I keep my house to prevent frozen pipes?
The American Red Cross recommends keeping the thermostat at the same temperature day and night during cold weather and leaving heat on no lower than 55°F when you are away. Your policy can have its own requirements, so verify them directly.
Should I drip all faucets or just one?
Focus on faucets served by pipes exposed to severe cold, such as lines near exterior walls, crawl spaces, garages, or unheated areas. A small drip can help, but it works best with steady heat and insulation.
Before the next deep cold snap, locate the main shutoff, check the areas where pipes are exposed, and review the heating and vacancy terms in your policy. A short preparation step is easier than managing water damage after a pipe bursts.
What to do next
Use the Home Insurance Coverage Checkup to review the policy details that matter before the next cold snap, then request a coverage review if a vacancy or heating question is unclear.
Home Insurance Coverage Checkup | Start a Coverage Review | Homeowners Insurance