Winter in New Jersey brings freezing temperatures that can be brutal on your home’s plumbing. Water expands when it freezes – and that can spell disaster for your pipes if they aren’t protected. A burst pipe is not only messy, it can cost thousands in water damage repairs. The good news is a little preparation goes a long way. Use this plumbing winter checklist to prevent frozen pipes and burst lines in your home:
1. Insulate Exposed Pipes
Walk through your basement, crawlspace, garage, and attic – any visible water pipes in unheated or drafty areas should be insulated. Pick up foam pipe insulation sleeves (they’re cheap and easy to install) and cover long pipe runs, especially near exterior walls. Don’t forget pipes under kitchen or bathroom sinks on exterior walls, and any plumbing in crawl spaces. Even a small gap letting cold air onto a pipe can freeze it solid. Pipe insulation provides a thermal barrier that greatly reduces the risk of freezing. For a few dollars and an afternoon of work, you can save yourself the nightmare of a burst pipe. In addition to foam, use heat tape (heating cable) for extra protection on the most freeze-prone pipes – these cables warm the pipe during extreme cold (follow manufacturer instructions and safety guidelines).
2. Seal Drafts Near Plumbing
Pipes often freeze due to cold air drafts. Seal up any cracks or openings near pipes that could let icy winds blow on them. Check around where pipes enter walls or floors – use caulk or expanding foam to plug gaps. Make sure basement windows are closed and any crawlspace vents are sealed in winter (if your crawlspace is unheated). Even a small opening can channel freezing air onto a pipe and freeze it overnight. By eliminating drafts, you help maintain a safer temperature around plumbing. For example, one common spot is under kitchen sinks – if there’s an opening to an outside wall for the pipe, seal it and keep the cabinet doors closed (or open, see next tip) to prevent cold spots.
3. Open Cabinet Doors in Cold Snaps
On nights when the temperature is expected to drop very low (say, the teens or single digits Fahrenheit), open cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks. This allows the warmer air from your house to circulate around those pipes, which are often against an exterior wall. It’s a simple trick that can add a few crucial degrees of warmth and prevent a freeze. Remove any harmful cleaners if you have pets or children, then leave the doors ajar overnight during cold spells.
4. Disconnect Outdoor Hoses and Winterize Faucets
Outdoor garden hoses can cause major pipe bursts if left attached in winter. Disconnect all outdoor hoses, drain them, and store them away. Turn off the interior shut-off valve that feeds exterior faucets (hose bibs), then open the outdoor faucet to drain any water out. If your exterior spigot is not frost-free, you want no water left in that line. You can also install insulated faucet covers on outside spigots for extra protection. Remember to drain in-ground sprinkler systems too, if you have them, following proper winterization steps or having a professional blow them out.
5. Locate and Label Your Main Water Shut-Off
Every second counts if a pipe does burst. Make sure everyone in your household knows where the main water shut-off valve is and how to turn it off. Usually it’s in the basement or where the water line enters the home. Mark it with a bright tag. In an emergency (like a burst pipe spraying water), you can minimize damage by quickly shutting off the water. Time yourself – could you find it in under a minute? If not, take steps now so you can. This simple preparation can save you thousands of dollars by reducing flooding until help arrives.
6. Keep the Heat On (Even When Away)
If you plan to be away from home for more than a day or two in winter, do not completely turn off your heat. Keep the thermostat set no lower than 55°F (about 12-13°C). This helps ensure that interior pipes, especially in hidden areas, don’t drop below freezing. It might be tempting to save a little on heating costs while away, but the risk of coming home to a frozen or burst pipe isn’t worth it. Also, open interior doors to keep air flowing to all rooms. If you have a vacation home or leave for extended periods, consider draining the plumbing system entirely or having a smart thermostat you can monitor remotely.
7. Let Faucets Drip on Extreme Cold Nights
When an arctic blast hits and temps plunge into the low 20s°F or teens, let a few faucets drip overnight – particularly ones on exterior walls or far from the main line. A slow trickle of water (pencil-thin stream) through the pipe can prevent it from freezing because moving water is less likely to freeze. Choose faucets connected to vulnerable lines (for example, a second-floor bathroom above a garage). Yes, you’ll waste a small amount of water, but it’s far cheaper than burst pipe repairs. You can capture the drips in a bucket to use for plants if you feel bad about waste. Also, if you have both hot and cold lines, open both slightly (or open the hot tap in one sink and cold in another) to keep both sides moving.
8. Install Pipe Heat Cables if Needed
For particularly at-risk pipes – say a crawlspace line that has frozen before – you might install UL-listed heat cables (heat tape). These electric cables run along the pipe and warm it when temperatures drop. Many have thermostats to kick on at ~38°F. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, and only use them on the specific pipes needed. Modern heat cables are quite effective in preventing freezing, and they come with various lengths to suit. Just remember to turn them on or ensure the thermostat sensor is positioned correctly to activate.
9. Consider a Smart Water Leak Detector
As an extra safeguard, consider installing a water leak detection system. Some devices monitor your main water usage and can detect the signature of a burst (continuous high flow) and automatically shut off the water. Others are simple sensors you place near vulnerable pipes or on the basement floor that alarm if water is detected. While these don’t prevent frozen pipes, they can minimize damage by alerting you or stopping the flow if a pipe does burst.
10. Know the Signs of Frozen Pipes
Be alert to the common signs that a pipe has frozen, before it bursts: little or no water flow from a faucet in extreme cold, unusual frost on the outside of an exposed pipe, or odd smells coming from a drain or faucet (can happen if a vent pipe is iced over or a sewer line froze). If you suspect a pipe is frozen (e.g., kitchen sink won’t flow on a frigid morning), act quickly: open the faucet and try to safely warm the pipe section (with a hair dryer, heating pad, or warm towels – never an open flame). Start from the faucet end and work backward. If you can’t access the frozen area or it’s within a wall, call a plumber. It’s critical to thaw the pipe before it cracks. Also, if a pipe froze once, leave the faucet open so as it thaws the water can escape and relieve pressure (and hopefully avoid a burst).
By checking off these items on your plumbing winter checklist, you’ll greatly reduce the risk of frozen pipes and the costly damage they cause. New Jersey winters can be harsh, but a well-prepared home can weather the cold without incident. Protecting your pipes now means avoiding the headache of emergency repairs later. A little time spent on insulation, dripping faucets, and vigilance will keep water flowing and pipes intact all winter long.
(If you do encounter a burst or frozen pipe despite precautions, remember Casper Friendly Services offers 24/7 emergency plumbing help. We’re here to assist NJ homeowners through any winter plumbing crisis.)
