# Frozen pipes: how to prevent them and thaw them safely > Before a hard freeze, let faucets on outside walls drip, open cabinet doors under sinks, keep the heat at 55°F or higher even when away, and unhook outdoor hoses. Know where your main water shutoff is. If only a trickle comes out, a pipe may be frozen; keep the faucet open and thaw it with a hair dryer, heating pad or warm towels, never an open flame. If a pipe bursts, shut off the main valve, call a plumber and photograph damage. Renters should tell their landlord. - URL: https://explained.page/frozen-pipes - Language: en - Last checked: 2026-10-29 - Watch the 1-minute animated guide: https://explained.page/watch?start=frozen-pipes ## Step by step 1. **A hard freeze is coming?** Frozen pipes can burst and flood a home. A few simple steps tonight can prevent a big repair bill. 2. **Before the freeze.** Let faucets on outside walls drip, open cabinet doors under sinks, keep the heat at 55°F or higher, even if you’re away, and unhook garden hoses. 3. **Find your main water shutoff now.** If a pipe bursts, turning it off fast is the most important step. Everyone in the house should know where it is. 4. **Only a trickle comes out? A pipe may be frozen.** Keep that faucet open so water can flow as it thaws. 5. **Thaw it safely.** Use a hair dryer, heating pad or warm towels, starting near the faucet. Never use a torch or open flame. Call a plumber if you can’t find or reach it. 6. **Pipe burst? Shut off the water now.** Turn off the main valve, stay away from water near outlets, call a plumber, and photograph the damage for insurance. 7. **Renting? Tell your landlord right away.** Landlords usually handle pipe repairs. Report problems in writing, and keep the heat on. ## Checklist - Let faucets drip; open sink cabinets - Keep heat at 55°F or higher - Unhook outdoor hoses - Know your main water shutoff - Thaw gently; never use flame - Burst? Shut off water, call a plumber ## Before a freeze - Let faucets on exterior walls drip slowly. - Open cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks to let warm air in. - Keep the thermostat at 55°F or higher, day and night, even if you’re traveling. - Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses; shut off outdoor faucets from inside if you can. - Insulate pipes in unheated areas like crawl spaces, garages and attics. ## Know your shutoff Find the main water shutoff valve now, and make sure everyone in the home knows where it is. ## Signs of a frozen pipe Little or no water from a faucet, frost on exposed pipes, or odd smells from drains. ## Thawing safely Keep the faucet open. Apply gentle heat starting nearest the faucet: a hair dryer, heating pad, warm towels, or a space heater kept a safe distance away and watched. Never use a torch, open flame or charcoal. If you can’t find or reach the frozen section, call a plumber. ## If a pipe bursts Shut off the main water, stay away from water near outlets, call a plumber, and photograph the damage. Sudden bursts are often covered by homeowners insurance if the home was kept heated. Dry everything within a day or two to prevent mold. ## Renters Tell your landlord right away, in writing, and keep the heat on. ## Common questions ### How cold does it have to be for pipes to freeze? Risk rises when temperatures drop well below freezing, especially for pipes in unheated spaces or on outside walls. Source page: https://explained.page/frozen-pipes/questions/how-cold-does-it-have-to-be-for-pipes-to-freeze ### Will insurance cover a burst pipe from freezing? Often, if the burst was sudden and you kept the home reasonably heated. Damage from neglect may not be covered. Source page: https://explained.page/frozen-pipes/questions/will-insurance-cover-a-burst-pipe-from-freezing ### How do I keep my pipes from freezing? Let faucets drip, open sink cabinet doors, keep heat at 55°F or higher, unhook outdoor hoses, and insulate pipes in unheated areas. Source page: https://explained.page/frozen-pipes/questions/how-do-i-keep-my-pipes-from-freezing ### How do I know if a pipe is frozen? Little or no water comes out of a faucet, or you see frost on exposed pipes. Source page: https://explained.page/frozen-pipes/questions/how-do-i-know-if-a-pipe-is-frozen ### How do I thaw a frozen pipe? Keep the faucet open and apply gentle heat with a hair dryer, heating pad or warm towels. Never use an open flame. Source page: https://explained.page/frozen-pipes/questions/how-do-i-thaw-a-frozen-pipe ### Should I leave my faucets dripping? Yes, during hard freezes, especially faucets on outside walls. Moving water is less likely to freeze. Source page: https://explained.page/frozen-pipes/questions/should-i-leave-my-faucets-dripping ### What do I do if a frozen pipe bursts? Shut off the main water valve, avoid water near outlets, call a plumber and photograph the damage for insurance. Source page: https://explained.page/frozen-pipes/questions/what-do-i-do-if-a-frozen-pipe-bursts ### What temperature should I keep my house in winter when away? At least 55°F is a common guideline to help prevent frozen pipes. Source page: https://explained.page/frozen-pipes/questions/what-temperature-should-i-keep-my-house-in-winter-when-away ## Official sources - [Ready.gov: winter weather](https://www.ready.gov/winter-weather) - [American Red Cross: frozen pipes](https://www.redcross.org/) To find your local office, search for: - "[your city] emergency plumber" - "[your utility] water shutoff help" --- General information, not legal or professional advice. Rules differ by state. From explained.page (www.explained.page). Life’s stuff, explained simply.