Frozen pipe prevention for the Tri-State region: a winter prep guide

Catalyst gets dozens of frozen-pipe calls every January and February across our service area. The pattern is consistent: temperature drops below 15°F for several days, then a single freeze-thaw cycle ruptures pipes that were vulnerable. Most of these are preventable.

The pipes most likely to freeze

• Pipes in unheated spaces: garages, attics, crawlspaces, exterior walls.
• Pipes in cabinets along exterior walls (kitchen sinks, bathroom vanities on outside walls).
• Outdoor faucets and irrigation lines.
• Vacant home or vacation property plumbing.
• Pipes in older homes with poor insulation in wall cavities.

Pre-winter prep checklist

1. Disconnect outdoor hoses, drain spigots, install insulating spigot covers.
2. Locate and label your main water shut-off valve. Test it works.
3. Insulate any exposed pipes in attics, garages, crawlspaces with foam pipe sleeves ($1-2/foot).
4. Add insulation to any wall cavity that has known plumbing on an exterior wall.
5. For seasonal homes: drain the system completely or set thermostat to 55°F minimum if leaving heat on.

When the forecast shows a cold snap (under 15°F)

1. Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls — lets warm room air reach pipes.
2. Set a faucet to a slow drip on the coldest exposed run. Moving water freezes more slowly than still water.
3. Maintain heat at 55°F minimum throughout the home (yes, even unused rooms).
4. Close garage doors if water lines run along garage walls.
5. If you'll be away, have someone check the home daily.

If a frozen pipe HAS burst

Same protocol as any burst pipe: shut off water immediately, cut electrical to wet areas, document everything, call us. Frozen-pipe bursts often produce multiple ruptures along the same line — finding all of them is critical to prevent additional damage during the repair.

Insurance considerations

Most policies cover frozen-pipe damage IF you maintained reasonable heat (typically 55°F+) in the property. If you turned off heat to save money or were away without arranging proper temperature maintenance, the carrier may deny. Document your thermostat history if possible — smart-home logs are gold for this.