How to Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter: A Massachusetts Homeowner’s Guide

Here in Massachusetts, a wicked cold night in January can test every home. The good news? A few simple habits go a long way toward keeping your pipes safe this winter.

Why Frozen Pipes Burst

Freezing water expands. That expansion builds pressure inside the pipe, with enough force to crack copper, PEX and PVC alike. A pipe often bursts somewhere between the ice blockage and the faucet, away from the frozen section itself. Trouble usually starts below 20°F outside. Pipes in drafty spots can freeze even at warmer temperatures.

Which Pipes Face the Most Risk

The pipes most likely to freeze sit in cold, exposed spots. Watch your outdoor faucets, hose connections, swimming pool supply lines and lawn irrigation systems. Pay close attention to pipes in unheated basements, crawl spaces, attics and garages, as well as pipes under sinks on exterior walls. Any pipe running along a poorly insulated outside wall deserves a closer look too.

Get Ready Before Winter Arrives

Start with a walk around your home. Look for bare pipes in the basement, attic, crawl space and garage. Wrap them with foam pipe sleeves, which cost a few dollars at any hardware store. For pipes with a history of freezing, add UL-listed heat tape and follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely.

Next, seal the gaps that let cold air reach your plumbing. Expanding foam works well around cable lines, pipe openings and foundation cracks. Make sure basement windows close tightly. Replace any broken glass.

Then handle your outdoor water. Disconnect garden hoses from every outdoor faucet, including frost-free models. Shut off the indoor valve feeding each outdoor faucet. Open the outdoor faucet to drain the line, leaving it open all winter with the supply off.

Find your main water shutoff valve now, well before an emergency. It usually sits near the water meter, where the main line enters your home. Label it clearly. Everyone in your household should know where it is.

Finally, have a plumber look at any spot with a history of freezing. A small fix in November beats an emergency call in February.

Smart Habits During a Cold Snap

Massachusetts cold snaps can push temperatures into the single digits for days at a time. A few everyday habits will keep warm air around your pipes until the deep freeze passes.

• Keep your thermostat at the same setting day and night during extreme cold. A lower overnight setting saves a few dollars at best. A burst pipe costs thousands.
• Never let your home drop below 55°F. During a deep freeze, many local plumbers recommend at least 68°F.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to let warm air reach the plumbing. Move cleaning products out of children’s reach first.
• Let a faucet served by at-risk pipes drip slightly. Moving water is harder to freeze. A drip also relieves pressure inside the line.
• Keep garage doors closed, especially with water lines running through the garage.

Heading Out of Town This Winter?

An empty house in January carries extra risk. Leave the heat on at least 55°F. For longer trips, consider shutting off the main water valve and draining the system by opening the faucets. Ask a trusted neighbor to check on the house during a cold snap.

Technology helps too. Smart thermostats, water leak sensors and automatic shutoff valves send alerts straight to your phone. Some devices shut off the water automatically at the first sign of a leak.

What to Do About a Frozen Pipe

The first warning sign is usually a faucet with only a trickle of water. Frost on an exposed pipe is another clue. Here is your action plan.

1. Act quickly. Open the faucet on the frozen line first. This relieves pressure and gives melting ice a place to go. Stay ready at the main shutoff valve. A cracked pipe can start spraying water the moment the ice melts.
2. Use heat. Apply gentle heat to the frozen section, working from the faucet end back toward the coldest part of the pipe. A hair dryer, an electric heating pad and towels soaked in hot water all work well. Open flames have no place here. Skip torches, heat guns and kerosene heaters, each a serious fire risk. Continue heating the pipe to restore full water pressure.
3. Be diligent. Once that pipe is unfrozen, check every other faucet in the house. One frozen pipe often means others.

A licensed plumber is your best call for a hidden pipe, an unreachable pipe and a pipe that refuses to thaw.

What to Do After a Pipe Bursts

A burst pipe can release hundreds of gallons of water in hours. These steps will help you limit the damage and protect your insurance claim.

1. Shut off the main water valve right away.
2. Turn off electricity to any wet area.
3. Stay out of standing water.
4. Move valuables away from the water.
5. Start drying the space with towels, wet vacuums, fans and dehumidifiers.
6. A professional water mitigation company can dry hidden areas inside walls and help prevent mold.
7. Take photos and videos of the damage before cleanup.
8. Save damaged items, receipts and repair invoices.
9. Call a licensed plumber for repairs.

Then call Murphy Insurance Agency. Our team will walk you through the claims process and help you take the right next steps.

How Homeowners Insurance Handles Frozen Pipes

Many homeowners’ policies cover sudden water damage from a burst pipe. Coverage often depends on reasonable care. Many policies expect you to keep the home heated, drain the plumbing in a vacant home and fix known problems promptly. Damage tied to neglect, like a home left without heat, may not be covered.

Condo owners and renters often ask where the association’s policy ends and yours begins. Every policy is different. A quick review with your Murphy Insurance Agency advisor ahead of winter can clear up any questions about your coverage.

Stay Warm and Protected

Questions about protecting your home this winter? Call us at 800 222 8711 to talk with our team. You can also submit an inquiry online and request a customized homeowners insurance quote.