No, you should not just turn off water to your house if it’s going to freeze. Simply shutting off the main water valve does not protect your pipes from freezing damage. Water still sits in the pipes between the shut-off valve and your faucets. This trapped water can freeze, expand, and burst your pipes.
This guide covers everything you need to know about protecting your pipes during freezing weather. You’ll learn the right way to shut off water, better protection methods, and what mistakes to avoid.
When Should You Turn Off Your Home’s Water Supply?
Turn off your home’s water supply only when you plan to be away for several days during freezing weather. Master plumbers recommend this step when temperatures drop below 20°F for extended periods and you cannot monitor your home.
Carol Haddock, Director of Public Works for the City of Houston, explains: “This evening before you go to sleep, go out and turn that main turn off, turn some faucets on so your pipes can drain. They can’t burst if there’s no water in them to freeze.”
However, turning off water requires proper steps:
- Fill bathtubs and containers with water first – You’ll need water for toilets and drinking
- Turn off your water heater – Electric units need power shut off, gas units need gas supply closed
- Open all faucets to drain pipes – Start with highest faucets, end with lowest
- Flush toilets once – This drains the tank but leaves water in the bowl
Why Turning Off Water Alone Doesn’t Work
Water remains in pipes between the shut-off valve and your fixtures. This water can still freeze. Most homes cannot drain pipes completely without professional equipment like air compressors.
The American Red Cross and professional plumbers say you want to keep your pipes open and leave the valves open rather than shutting off water completely.
What Happens When Pipes Freeze?
Frozen pipes cause an average of $15,000 in damage per claim. A quarter million homes throughout the U.S. have at least one room damaged by frozen water pipes each winter according to State Farm Insurance.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, about one in 60 insured homes has a property damage claim caused by water damage or freezing each year. Water damage and freezing accounted for 27.6% of all homeowners insurance claims in 2022.
When water freezes inside pipes:
- Water expands by 9% – This creates enormous pressure inside pipes
- Pipes crack or burst – Even small cracks can release 250 gallons per day
- Damage happens during thaw – Most pipes burst when ice melts, not when it freezes
- Water damage spreads fast – Philadelphia Insurance studied 433 burst pipe claims and found average losses of $27,000, with the most expensive claim reaching $1.7 million.
Which Pipes Freeze First?
Pipes freeze in this order:
- Outdoor pipes – Hose bibs, sprinkler lines, pool supply lines
- Unheated areas – Basements, attics, crawl spaces, garages
- Exterior walls – Pipes with little insulation against outside walls
- North-facing walls – Get less sun and stay colder longer
Water pipes begin to freeze once temperatures reach 32°F (0°C), but they need exposure to those temperatures for at least six consecutive hours to actually freeze solid.
Better Ways to Protect Pipes Than Shutting Off Water
Keep Water Moving
Let faucets drip during freezing weather. Running water through pipes – even at a trickle – helps prevent pipes from freezing. Moving water is much harder to freeze than still water.
- Turn on both hot and cold sides – This protects both water lines
- Choose faucets on outside walls – These pipes freeze first
- Use the faucet farthest from your water meter – This moves water through your entire system
Maintain Heat
Keep your home at least 55°F, even when away. Temporarily suspend lower nighttime temperatures. You may get a higher heating bill, but you prevent much costlier repair jobs.
Additional heating tips:
- Open cabinet doors – Let warm air reach pipes under sinks
- Keep interior doors open – This spreads heat throughout your home
- Close garage doors – If water lines run through your garage
Add Insulation
Pipe insulation costs $0.20 to $1.35 per linear foot but prevents thousands in damage. Foam insulation is the most affordable type of pipe insulation material.
Best insulation options:
- Foam pipe sleeves – Easy to install, work well for most pipes
- Heat tape or cables – Add warmth to vulnerable pipes
- Newspaper wrapping – Even ¼ inch of newspaper provides significant protection in areas that don’t have frequent freezing.
Focus insulation on:
- Pipes in unheated spaces
- Pipes along exterior walls
- Outdoor faucets and valves
- Pipe insulation services for hard-to-reach areas
How to Properly Shut Off Water (If You Must)
Only shut off water if you’ll be away for days and cannot heat your home. Follow these steps exactly:
Before Shutting Off Water
- Fill containers with water – One gallon per person per day for three days minimum
- Fill bathtubs – Use this water to flush toilets manually
- Locate your main shut-off valve – Usually near the street or where water enters your home
Proper Shut-Off Steps
- Turn off water heater first – Prevents damage to heating elements
- Close main water valve – Turn clockwise until tight
- Open all faucets – Start upstairs, work downstairs
- Flush toilets once – Drains tanks but leaves water in bowls
- Open outdoor faucets last – Gravity helps drain remaining water
When Turning Water Back On
Turn water back on slowly after temperatures rise above freezing. Plumbers suggest using a clock and turning water on gradually over five minutes – have someone inside watching for leaks.
Check these areas for leaks:
- All faucets and fixtures
- Visible pipes in basements and crawl spaces
- Water heater connections
- Areas that were previously frozen
What Not to Do During Freezing Weather
Don’t Just Turn Off Water
Experts verify this is mostly false advice. Don’t turn off your water unless you’re prepared to fully drain your pipes completely.
Don’t Use These Thawing Methods
- Open flames – Torches and matches cause fires
- High heat – Can crack pipes from thermal shock
- Boiling water – Sudden heat changes damage pipes
Don’t Ignore Warning Signs
Watch for these freeze indicators:
- Reduced water flow – Pipes may be partially frozen
- No water at all – Pipes likely completely frozen
- Frost on pipes – Visible sign of freezing
- Strange smells – May indicate backup from frozen drains
Emergency Steps for Frozen Pipes
If Pipes Are Already Frozen
- Turn off main water – Prevents flooding when pipes thaw
- Open faucets – Relieves pressure as ice melts
- Apply gentle heat – Use hair dryer, heating pad, or warm towels
- Start near faucets – Work toward the frozen section
- Call professionals – Frozen pipe repair services handle tough cases
If Pipes Burst
- Shut off main water immediately
- Turn off electricity – If water reaches electrical areas
- Document damage – Take photos for insurance
- Call emergency plumber – Burst pipe repair needs immediate attention
- Contact insurance company – Most policies cover sudden pipe bursts
Cost of Pipe Freeze Damage
Prevention costs pennies compared to repairs:
| Prevention Method | Cost | Repair Costs if Pipes Burst |
| Pipe insulation | $20-50 total | $500-5,000 average |
| Letting faucets drip | $5-10 extra water bill | $15,000 average damage |
| Keeping heat at 55°F | $50-100 extra heating | Up to $1.7 million worst cases |
The average insurance payout for water damage is $11,605, and about 1 in 60 insured homes makes a claim for water or freezing damage each year.
Professional Prevention Services
AnQoR Plumbing and Heating offers complete freeze prevention services:
- Pipe insulation installation – Protect vulnerable pipes before winter
- Plumbing inspections – Find freeze risks early
- Emergency repairs – 24/7 service for frozen or burst pipes
- Repiping services – Replace old pipes prone to freezing
Professional plumbers use specialized equipment to:
- Completely drain pipe systems
- Install proper insulation
- Add heat cables where needed
- Test system integrity before cold weather
Climate Considerations for New York
Long Island winters require serious pipe protection. New York regularly sees temperatures below 20°F for days at a time.
In northern regions where freezing temperatures persist for long periods, it’s recommended that heat tape be used with insulation rather than insulation alone.
Local factors that increase freeze risk:
- Extended cold periods – Temperatures stay below freezing for days
- Wind chill effects – Make pipes feel colder than air temperature
- Older homes – May have poor insulation around pipes
- Vacation properties – Left unheated during winter months
Final Thoughts
Simply turning off water doesn’t protect your pipes from freezing. The better approach combines several protection methods: keeping water moving through dripping faucets, maintaining heat in your home, and adding insulation to vulnerable pipes.
Only shut off your main water supply if you’ll be away for several days and follow proper draining steps. Even then, consider having a professional plumber winterize your system properly.
Take action before temperatures drop. Add pipe insulation, check your heating system, and know where your shut-off valves are located. Prevention costs far less than emergency repairs and water damage cleanup.
Contact AnQoR Plumbing and Heating at (516) 723-9005 for professional pipe protection services. Don’t wait until pipes freeze – protect your home before winter weather strikes.