The Single Most Important Winterizing Step: Protect Your Pipes

If we had to pick ONE crucial winterizing step homeowners can’t afford to skip it would be protecting your plumbing from freezing. While there are many smart ways to get your home winter-ready (checking your furnace, sealing windows, cleaning gutters), nothing can wreak havoc (or drain your wallet) faster than a burst pipe.

Frozen Pipes Are a Homeowner’s Worst Nightmare When water freezes inside your pipes, it expands. That expansion builds pressure, and if there’s no room for the ice to go, the pipe can crack or burst, often when the ice thaws. A single burst pipe can release hundreds of gallons of water in minutes, causing thousands of dollars in water damage to walls, floors, and belongings.

How to Protect Your Pipes (Before Winter Sets In):

Insulate, insulate, insulate. Focus on unheated or exposed areas like basements, crawl spaces, attics, and garages. Pipe insulation is inexpensive, easy to install, and highly effective. Foam sleeves or even heat tape can make a big difference.

Seal up drafts. Cold air sneaking in through cracks or gaps—especially near where pipes enter the home—can cause localized freezing. Caulk, weatherstrip, and plug any drafts you find.

Keep a steady temperature. When the temperature dips, keep your thermostat set to at least 55°F, even when you’re away. It’s not just about comfort; it’s about keeping your plumbing safe.

Let faucets drip. On extremely cold nights, a slow drip from your faucets can prevent pressure buildup inside pipes, reducing the risk of a burst.

Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses. A forgotten garden hose can trap water and cause outdoor spigots to freeze, and those can back up into your interior plumbing.

A Small Step, a Big Payoff Winterizing can feel like a long to-do list, but if you prioritize only one thing this season, make it protecting your plumbing. A few hours of prevention can save you from one of the most expensive and stressful home disasters of winter. After all, a warm, dry home is the ultimate winter luxury and keeping your pipes safe is the key to making sure it stays that way.