The Ultimate Guide to Preventing Frozen Pipes During Severe Winter Weather

As the temperature drops and meteorologists track the incoming winter storm heading toward our region, many homeowners in Southern Pennsylvania and Northern Maryland are stocking up on milk and bread.

However, as your local plumbing experts at Wenger Services LLC, we urge you to add one more crucial item to your prep list: your plumbing system.

A burst pipe is one of the most catastrophic and expensive home disasters that can occur. It can cause thousands of dollars in water damage, ruin personal possessions, and leave you without water in the dead of winter. The good news is that with a little preparation and understanding of how your plumbing works, you can drastically reduce the risk of freezing.

Understanding the Risk: Why Pipes Freeze in Our Region

It is easy to assume that because we live in a region that sees four distinct seasons, our homes are built to handle the cold. While that is largely true, the specific geography of Southern PA and Northern MD often subjects us to "flash freeze" events, rapid drops in temperature accompanied by high winds.

When water freezes, it expands by approximately 9% in volume. This expansion generates tremendous pressure, thousands of pounds per square inch, inside the pipe. Contrary to popular belief, it isn't usually the ice itself that bursts the pipe where the blockage is located. Instead, the ice creates a blockage, and the continued pressure from the water source behind the ice buildup has nowhere to go. This pressure builds until the pipe, whether it is copper, PVC, or PEX, eventually ruptures.

The Most Vulnerable Areas in Your Home

Not all pipes are created equal when it comes to freezing risk. In our service area, we frequently see issues in specific "trouble zones":

• Unheated Basements and Crawl Spaces: Pipes running through these areas lack the benefit of your home’s central heating.

• Exterior Walls: Plumbing located in cabinets against outside walls (often kitchen sinks) is highly susceptible to the cold penetrating through the siding and insulation.

• Garages: If your water heater or supply lines run through an unheated garage, they are at immediate risk once temperatures dip below freezing.

• Outdoor Spigots: Hose bibs that haven't been drained or protected are the most common entry point for freezing issues that can travel back into the home.

The Cost of Complacency

The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety notes that plumbing supply system failures are a leading source of residential water losses. The average insurance claim for water damage due to frozen pipes is significantly higher than other standard water damage claims because the water often runs undetected for hours if the burst happens while you are asleep or away. Prevention is not just about comfort; it is about financial protection.

Your Winter Storm Action Plan: Essential Steps to Protect Your Plumbing

With the storm approaching, you need to take action today. We have broken down the prevention process into immediate steps you can take right now, and maintenance tips for the duration of the freeze.

1. Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hoses

This is the single most common mistake homeowners make. If a garden hose is left attached to the spigot, it traps water inside the faucet assembly. As that water freezes, it expands back into the spigot and the pipe inside your wall.

The Fix: Go outside immediately, disconnect all hoses, drain them, and store them in the shed or garage. If you have interior shut-off valves for your outdoor faucets, turn them off and open the outdoor spigot to drain the remaining water.

2. The "Drip" Technique

Moving water is much harder to freeze than standing water. When temperatures are forecast to drop into the single digits or below 20°F, allowing a faucet to drip can save your system.

The Fix: identify the faucet furthest from your main water shut-off valve, or any faucet served by exposed pipes. Allow the cold water to drip, a steady drip or a very thin stream is sufficient. This relieves the pressure that builds up between the ice blockage and the faucet, often preventing a burst even if the pipe does freeze partially.

3. Open Cabinet Doors

Your kitchen and bathroom cabinets act as insulation, but in this case, they are insulating the pipes from the heat of your home.

The Fix: Open the cabinet doors under your kitchen and bathroom sinks, specifically those located on exterior walls. This allows the warmer air from your living space to circulate around the plumbing. Ensure any harmful cleaners stored there are moved out of reach of children or pets.

4. Keep the Thermostat Consistent

You might be tempted to lower the heat at night to save on utility bills, but during a severe freeze, this is risky.

The Fix: Keep your thermostat set to the same temperature both day and night. We recommend keeping it at no lower than 55°F (though 68°F or higher is safer during extreme storms). If you plan to be away during the storm, do not turn the heat off completely. The few dollars you save on heating are not worth the cost of a flooded basement.

5. Seal Drafts and Insulate

Cold air moving through cracks is a pipe’s worst enemy. A draft blowing directly on a pipe can freeze it even if the room temperature is generally safe.

The Fix: Check around your home for drafts near plumbing. Use caulk or insulation foam to seal cracks in the foundation, near dryer vents, or around cable lines. For exposed pipes in basements or garages, consider installing foam pipe insulation sleeves. They are inexpensive, easy to slip on, and provide a critical layer of protection.

6. Know Your Main Shut-Off Valve

If a pipe does burst, time is of the essence. You need to know how to stop the water flow immediately to minimize damage.

The Fix: Locate your main water shut-off valve before the emergency happens. It is typically found in the basement, near the water meter, or in a utility closet. Test it to make sure it turns freely. If it is stuck or you cannot find it, call Wenger Services LLC to help you locate and tag it.

What to Do If You Suspect a Frozen Pipe

If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, or if the toilets won't refill, you likely have a frozen pipe.

• Keep the Faucet Open: As you treat the frozen section, the water needs a path to flow once it melts.

• Apply Heat Safely: Use an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, or a portable space heater (kept at a safe distance). Start from the faucet end and work your way back toward the frozen section.

• AVOID Open Flames: Never use a blowtorch, kerosene heater, or propane torch on pipes. This is a massive fire hazard and can boil the water inside the pipe, causing it to explode.

When to Call the Professionals

If you cannot locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you can see the pipe has already split, do not attempt a DIY fix. Call a licensed plumber immediately. At Wenger Services LLC, we are equipped to handle winter plumbing emergencies in Southern PA and Northern MD.

The coming storm doesn't have to result in a disaster for your home. By taking these proactive measures, you can keep your water flowing and your home dry. Stay warm, stay safe, and remember that Wenger Services is just a phone call away for all your plumbing needs.

Give us a call at 1-717-640-6442