Reviewed by AJ Robles Owner & Licensed Master Plumber · LIC# RMP 46529 Gulf Coast homes aren't built for hard freezes — pipes often run through uninsulated attics, garages, and exterior walls that hold up fine in normal winters but are exposed when a real freeze rolls through. The good news: a little prep the day before a freeze prevents most burst pipes. Here's the checklist.
What's most at risk
- Outdoor hose bibbs and exposed exterior faucets.
- Attic and garage pipes with little or no insulation.
- Pipes along exterior walls, especially on the north side.
- Vacant or unheated spaces where no warm air circulates.
Before the freeze
- Disconnect and drain garden hoses, and cover hose bibbs with insulated faucet covers.
- Insulate exposed pipes in the attic, garage, and along exterior walls with foam pipe sleeves.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks so household heat reaches the supply lines.
- Let a faucet drip on the coldest nights — moving water and relieved pressure are what prevent a burst.
- Keep the heat on and set no lower than the mid-50s, even if you're away.
Why dripping a faucet works
It isn't the ice itself that bursts a pipe — it's the pressure that builds between the ice and a closed faucet. A slow drip keeps water moving and gives that pressure somewhere to go. Drip both hot and cold at the faucet farthest from where your water enters the home, so water travels through the most vulnerable runs.
If a pipe freezes — or bursts
If a faucet won't flow but nothing's burst, shut off the main as a precaution, open a nearby faucet, and let the pipe thaw gradually (never with an open flame). If a pipe bursts, shut off the main immediately — see how to shut off your water — then call us. Freezes keep us busy, so call as soon as you can; our team answers 7 AM – 7 PM, 7 days/week.
After it warms up
As pipes thaw, walk the house and check for leaks — that's when hidden cracks reveal themselves. A small drip now is a lot cheaper than water damage later. For a full game plan during any water emergency, keep our emergency checklist handy.