Keep Your Pipes From Freezing With These Simple Tips

January 16, 2026

Winter is sweeping across the country, and the cold shows no signs of slowing down. Whether you live in a single-family home, townhouse, or apartment complex, your pipes are at risk of freezing and bursting, potentially causing significant water or structural damage. Continue reading for key data and expert advice to help prevent frozen pipes this year.

Knowing the Facts

Understanding when and how water pipes freeze and how much it costs to repair the damages helps highlight the financial risk of not protecting your pipes from bursting. Check out these environmental stats from Resideo below for perspective.

Water & Freeze Data

• Water damage and freezing are the 3rd leading cause of property damage claims in the U.S.
• A burst water pipe can cause $5,000-$70,000 or more in damage
• The average insurance claim for a burst water pipe is $15,000
• The average loss per claim is $9,000
• 1 in 50 insured homes has a property damage claim each year due to water or freezing
• Common sources of water damage:
  • Frozen pipes
  • Dishwashers
  • Sump pump failure
  • Toilets
  • Washing machines
  • Sinks/tubs
  • Leaky roofs

When do pipes freeze?

Homes in southern climates can be even more vulnerable to cold temperatures than those up north because they are typically built with water pipes outside of the insulation. Permanent warm climate residents may also be less acclimated to the dangers of winter and freezing pipes as the occurrences are much rarer. A general rule of thumb is that uninsulated, indoor water pipes will begin to freeze once the outdoor temperature reaches 20 degrees (F) or lower. Water pipes in northern climates can typically withstand even lower temperatures before freezing.

In either climate, water pipes that are most vulnerable are those in unheated spaces such as outdoor spaces, basements, garages, and attics. For pipes contained in heated areas of the home, it’s important for residents to turn their heat down but not off (see the recommended setting below) while away, especially for long periods of time.

How do Pipes freeze?

When water freezes, it expands. If frozen water expands inside of your plumbing pipes, they are at risk of bursting. However, while the cause of the bursting can be from the expansion, it’s more commonly due to pressure buildup between an ice blockage and the closed faucet, causing a burst or water leak that can lead to mold, flooding, and property damage.

How to Prevent Your Pipes from Freezing

1. Insulate: At only $0.50 per linear foot, insulation is an inexpensive solution to a very costly problem.
2. Keep the Heat On: Turning the heat too low or completely off in the middle of winter runs the risk of freezing your pipes. Generally, keeping it above 60 degrees (F) is a good rule of thumb.
3. Turn the Water Off: Draining your water system before a long vacation removes the flow of water and makes it impossible for pipes to freeze and burst.
4. Leave Your Cabinets Open: Allow the heat to enter the kitchen and bathroom cabinets housing your water pipes.
5. Slow Drip Your Faucets: A slow drip of cold water keeps things moving and can prevent your pipes from freezing.
6. Install Leak Detectors: Environmental monitoring is a trusted way to catch a leak while you’re sleeping or away. Some residents are home and wide awake but unaware of leaks happening just a level below. Alerts come straight to your smartphone or other web-enabled devices via our smart home automation app so that you never miss a beat.
7. Use a Programmable Thermostat: Being able to control your home’s temperature from your devices removes the burden of remembering to set your home’s temperature for longer trips.

Don’t leave your home, family, and pets unprotected this winter. Follow the simple tips in this blog, and contact us to learn how an environmental monitoring system can provide added peace of mind all season long.