Frozen Pipes: Prevention, Thawing, and Repair Costs
What to do when pipes freeze, what insurance covers, and how to prevent a repeat next winter.
Frozen pipe damage costs U.S. homeowners over $5 billion a year. The good news: prevention is cheap and the response when a pipe does freeze can save thousands. The bad news: by the time you notice water damage, it's already significant.
Prevention basics
Insulate any pipes in unheated spaces (basements, crawlspaces, exterior walls). Pipe insulation is $0.50-$2 per linear foot.
During cold snaps: leave faucets dripping (moving water resists freezing), open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls, maintain home heat at 60°F minimum even when away.
Disconnect garden hoses in fall. Outdoor hose bibs are the single most common burst point.
When a pipe is frozen
Shut off the main water supply immediately. Open faucets at the affected fixture. Thaw with a hair dryer (never a torch) starting from the faucet end and working back toward the freeze.
If a pipe has already burst, the water is off and the damage is happening behind walls. Call a plumber and call your insurance company in parallel — most homeowner's policies cover sudden burst pipe damage. Repair costs run $500-$2,500 per burst pipe, plus drying and remediation that can total $5,000-$25,000.
Quick checklist
- Insulate all pipes in unheated spaces
- Disconnect garden hoses by November 1
- Know where your main water shutoff is
- Set thermostat to 60°F minimum when away
- Open cabinet doors during cold snaps