Quick answer: To winterize your plumbing and prevent frozen pipes: disconnect and drain garden hoses, insulate exposed pipes, cover outdoor faucets, seal drafts near plumbing, and on freezing nights let a faucet drip and open cabinet doors under sinks. A burst frozen pipe is one of the most expensive home disasters — and almost entirely preventable for under $50.
A licensed plumber’s full winterizing checklist, with the exact parts for each step.
Outdoor Faucets & Hoses (do this first)
Disconnect every garden hose — a connected hose traps water that freezes back into the spigot and splits the pipe. Add insulated faucet covers over outdoor faucets, and if you’re replacing any, frost-free spigots are the permanent fix.
Insulate Exposed Pipes
Wrap pipes in unheated areas — basement, crawlspace, garage, exterior walls — with foam pipe insulation. It’s a few dollars per length and slips right on.
Seal Drafts
Cold air hitting a pipe is what freezes it. Seal gaps where pipes pass through exterior walls with caulk or foam, and keep garage doors closed if water lines run through.
On Freezing Nights
Let a faucet drip slightly (moving water resists freezing), open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls to let warm air in, and keep the heat at a steady temperature even when away.
Going Away for Winter?
Shut off the main and drain the system, or at minimum keep heat at 55°F+. A water leak detector or smart shutoff adds cheap insurance against a burst while you’re gone.
If a Pipe Freezes
Shut off the water, open the faucet, and thaw gently with a hair dryer or warm towels — never an open flame. See our emergency pipe repair guide if it has already burst.