Quick answer: To prevent frozen pipes, keep your heat at 55°F or higher, open the cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls, let faucets drip during hard freezes, disconnect garden hoses, and insulate pipes in crawl spaces, garages and attics. If a pipe freezes, shut off the main water valve before it thaws and call a plumber.
Central Kentucky winters swing back and forth. It can be 50 degrees one afternoon and in the teens that night. Those sudden drops catch homeowners off guard, and that’s when most frozen and burst pipes happen in Lexington, Nicholasville and the surrounding towns.
Why frozen pipes are a big deal
Water expands when it freezes. That builds pressure inside the pipe, and the pipe usually splits somewhere other than where the ice is. Often you don’t know a pipe burst until it thaws and water starts pouring into a wall, ceiling or crawl space. A small crack can release a lot of water fast.
Which pipes freeze first
Some pipes are much more likely to freeze than others:
- Crawl space pipes, which are common in older Lexington homes
- Pipes on exterior walls, especially under kitchen and bathroom sinks
- Garage and attic lines, including lines to a water heater in an unheated garage
- Outdoor spigots and hose bibs
- Irrigation and sprinkler lines
- Pipes near foundation vents or gaps where cold air gets in
What to do before cold weather
- Disconnect garden hoses. A connected hose traps water in the spigot, and that water can freeze back into the pipe inside your wall.
- Shut off and drain outdoor faucets if you have an indoor shutoff valve for them.
- Insulate exposed pipes in crawl spaces, garages and attics. Foam pipe sleeves from the hardware store are cheap and easy to put on.
- Seal drafts. Close crawl space vents and seal gaps around pipes where they come through exterior walls.
- Find your main water shutoff valve now, so you’re not hunting for it in an emergency. It’s usually where the water line enters the house, often in the crawl space, basement or near the water heater.
- Blow out irrigation lines before the first hard freeze.
What to do during a hard freeze
- Keep the thermostat at 55°F or higher, even when you’re away, and keep it steady day and night.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls so warm air reaches the pipes.
- Let faucets drip. A slow drip of both hot and cold water on sinks along exterior walls keeps water moving and relieves pressure.
- Keep the garage door closed if water lines run through the garage.
- Going out of town? Leave the heat on, and think about shutting off the main water valve and draining the lines.
Signs a pipe is frozen
- You turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, or nothing at all
- Frost on a visible pipe
- A toilet that won’t refill
- Odd smells from drains
What to do if a pipe freezes
- Turn off the main water valve first. If the pipe has split, this keeps water from pouring out when it thaws.
- Open the faucet the frozen line feeds, so melting water has somewhere to go.
- Warm the pipe gently with a hair dryer, space heater or warm towels, starting from the faucet end and working back.
- Never use an open flame like a torch or lighter on a pipe. It’s a fire hazard and can damage the pipe.
- Call a plumber if you can’t reach the frozen section, can’t find it, or see any sign of a crack or leak.
If a pipe bursts
Shut off the main water valve right away, turn off power to any wet areas if it’s safe to do so, move valuables out of the way, and call for emergency service. Kentucky Plumbing offers 24/7 emergency service across Lexington and Central Kentucky. Call (859) 823-5973.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature do pipes freeze at?
Pipes in unheated or exposed spaces are at risk once outdoor temperatures stay around 20°F or below, especially overnight. Pipes on exterior walls and in crawl spaces can freeze sooner when there’s wind or a draft.
Should I let my faucets drip at night?
Yes, during hard freezes. A slow drip on faucets along exterior walls keeps water moving and lowers the pressure that causes pipes to burst.
Will homeowners insurance cover a burst pipe?
Many policies cover sudden burst-pipe damage, but not damage from neglect, like leaving a home unheated. Check your policy, and take photos of any damage before cleanup.
How do I find my main water shutoff?
Look where the water line enters your home, usually in the crawl space, basement, utility room or near the water heater. If you can’t find it, a plumber can show you where it is and make sure it works.
Can a plumber insulate or reroute pipes that keep freezing?
Yes. If the same pipe freezes every winter, a plumber can insulate it, add heat tape, or reroute it to a warmer part of the house.
Need help getting your plumbing ready for winter? Contact Kentucky Plumbing or call (859) 823-5973.