Twin Falls winters are no joke. When temperatures drop below freezing—which happens regularly from November through March—your home’s plumbing is at risk. Frozen pipes are more than an inconvenience; when water freezes, it expands, and that expansion can crack or burst pipes, leading to thousands of dollars in water damage.
The good news is that frozen pipes are preventable. Here’s what you need to know to protect your Twin Falls home this winter.
Which Pipes Are Most at Risk?
Not all pipes in your home face the same risk of freezing. The most vulnerable pipes are those exposed to cold air or located in unheated areas:
Exterior walls: Pipes running through exterior walls, especially on the north side of your home, are exposed to the coldest temperatures.
Unheated spaces: Pipes in garages, crawl spaces, attics, and basements are often in unheated or poorly insulated areas.
Outdoor faucets and hose bibs: These are directly exposed to freezing temperatures and are among the first to freeze.
Pipes near windows or doors: Cold air drafts around windows and doors can drop temperatures enough to freeze nearby pipes.
Winterizing Your Plumbing: Before the Freeze
The best time to prevent frozen pipes is before temperatures drop. Take these steps in the fall to prepare your plumbing for winter:
Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hoses
Remove all garden hoses from outdoor faucets before the first freeze. Water left in a connected hose can freeze and back up into the pipe, causing it to burst. After disconnecting hoses, open the outdoor faucet to let any remaining water drain out.
Shut Off and Drain Outdoor Faucets
If your home has interior shut-off valves for outdoor faucets (most do), close them and then open the outdoor faucet to drain any water from the line. If you have frost-free hose bibs, you may not need to do this, but it’s still a good practice.
Insulate Exposed Pipes
Add pipe insulation (foam sleeves or fiberglass wrap) to any exposed pipes in unheated areas like your garage, basement, or crawl space. Pay special attention to pipes near exterior walls. Pipe insulation is inexpensive and available at any hardware store.
Seal Air Leaks
Check for gaps or cracks around pipes where they enter your home, especially in the foundation or exterior walls. Seal any openings with caulk or spray foam to keep cold air away from your pipes.
Service Your Water Heater
Your water heater works harder in winter. Have it inspected and flushed before the cold season to ensure it’s running efficiently and won’t leave you without hot water when you need it most.
During Cold Snaps: Extra Precautions
When temperatures are forecast to drop below 20°F—or stay below freezing for extended periods—take additional steps to protect your pipes:
Let Faucets Drip
Allow faucets connected to pipes in vulnerable areas to drip slightly. Moving water is much harder to freeze than standing water. You don’t need a heavy flow—just a slow, steady drip. Yes, this uses a small amount of water, but it’s far cheaper than repairing a burst pipe.
Open Cabinet Doors
For pipes under kitchen and bathroom sinks on exterior walls, open the cabinet doors to let warm air from your home circulate around the pipes. This is especially important at night when temperatures are coldest.
Maintain Consistent Heat
Keep your thermostat set to at least 55°F, even when you’re away or asleep. It might cost a bit more in heating bills, but it’s much less than the cost of water damage from a burst pipe.
Keep Garage Doors Closed
If you have water supply lines running through your garage, keep the garage door closed to retain as much heat as possible.
What to Do If Your Pipes Freeze
If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, you likely have a frozen pipe. Here’s what to do:
- Keep the faucet open. As the ice melts, water needs somewhere to go. Running water will also help melt the remaining ice.
- Locate the frozen section. Check for pipes that are visibly frosted or bulging. The frozen section is usually in an unheated area or near an exterior wall.
- Apply gentle heat. Use a hair dryer, heat lamp, or portable space heater to warm the frozen section. You can also wrap pipes in towels soaked in hot water. Never use an open flame or propane torch—this can damage the pipe or start a fire.
- Check for leaks. As the pipe thaws, watch carefully for any water escaping. A frozen pipe may already be cracked, and you won’t know until the ice melts.
- Call a plumber if needed. If you can’t locate the frozen pipe, can’t thaw it yourself, or discover a leak or burst pipe, call Dynamic Plumbing immediately.
Emergency Pipe Repair in Twin Falls
If a pipe bursts, shut off your main water supply immediately to minimize damage, then call an emergency plumber. Dynamic Plumbing provides emergency plumbing services throughout Twin Falls and the Magic Valley. We respond quickly to burst pipes and can help you minimize water damage and get your plumbing back in working order.
Don’t wait until you have an emergency. If you’d like help winterizing your plumbing or want to address vulnerable pipes before winter arrives, give us a call at (208) 613-9600.