How to Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter

Winter in Kaukauna brings freezing temperatures that put your home's plumbing at real risk. When water inside pipes freezes, it expands and can crack or burst the pipe itself—leading to water damage that may not become obvious until a thaw occurs. Taking time now to prevent frozen pipes is far more cost-effective than dealing with the aftermath of a burst.

Insulate Exposed and Vulnerable Pipes

Pipes located in unheated spaces are most susceptible to freezing. This includes pipes in basements, attics, crawl spaces, garages, and exterior walls. The first step to prevent frozen pipes is to identify which ones run through these vulnerable areas in your home. Once you've located them, wrap them with foam pipe insulation sleeves, heat tape, or newspaper for a basic layer of protection. These materials slow heat loss and can make the difference between a pipe that survives the cold and one that fails.

Don't overlook outdoor faucets, hose connections, and water supply lines entering your home from outside. Before temperatures drop significantly, disconnect garden hoses and consider installing frost-free outdoor faucets if your current ones are older. Interior shut-off valves for outdoor water supplies should be closed, and any remaining water in the exterior lines should be drained. This removes the water that would otherwise freeze solid inside the faucet or line.

Keep Water Moving and Maintain Heat Flow

Flowing water is much harder to freeze than standing water. During extreme cold snaps, letting cold-water taps drip slightly can help prevent frozen pipes by maintaining water movement through the line. This is a temporary measure during the deepest freeze, not a year-round practice. Similarly, opening cabinet doors under sinks allows warmer interior air to reach pipes that run along exterior walls. If your home has areas that stay particularly cold—such as a rarely used bedroom or bathroom—keeping cabinet doors open and allowing some air circulation can help. You might also crack interior doors between heated and unheated spaces to allow warmth to reach at-risk pipes.

For homes with crawl spaces or basements, ensure they have adequate ventilation and insulation. Sealing air leaks around windows, doors, and foundation cracks reduces drafts that can chill pipes. If a particular area of your home is chronically cold or difficult to heat, a professional can assess whether additional insulation or heat sources are practical options. In some cases, pipe heat cables or tracing cables can be installed to maintain safe water temperatures.

Plan Ahead and Know Your Shut-Off Valve

Prevention also means being ready to act if a freeze does occur. Locate your main water shut-off valve and make sure everyone in your household knows where it is and how to use it. If you discover a frozen pipe or suspect a leak, shutting off the water supply quickly can minimize damage. You should also know the location of individual shut-off valves for toilets, sinks, and appliances so you can isolate a problem area without cutting water to your entire home. Clear access to these valves now, before an emergency occurs.

If you do experience a burst pipe or significant water intrusion during winter, the priority is to stop the water flow and document the damage for insurance purposes. Independent local restoration providers connected through Boyle Water Damage Restoration can respond quickly to help with water removal and drying. While prevention is always the goal, having a clear action plan and knowing who to call makes recovery faster. Keep emergency contact numbers accessible, and don't wait to reach out if water damage occurs—the sooner professionals begin the drying process, the better the outcome for your home and belongings.