Prevent Frozen Pipes | The Resource Center

Homeowner’s Guide to Preventing Frozen Pipe Disasters

Posted December 8, 2025

In Insurance Advice, Tips, Uncategorized

There’s a phone call we get every winter that nobody wants to make. It usually comes early in the morning after temperatures have been below 20 degrees for a few days. The homeowner wakes up to turn on the faucet and nothing happens. Or worse, they hear water running inside their walls.

Frozen pipes are the single most preventable cause of winter insurance claims we see at The Resource Center. The average claim for frozen pipe damage runs between $5,000 and $10,000, but we’ve seen them go much higher when there’s extensive water damage to flooring, drywall, and personal belongings.

The good news? Almost all of these disasters can be prevented.

Why Pipes Freeze (And Why It Matters)

When water freezes, it expands. That expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it, including your pipes. The pipe doesn’t usually burst where it’s frozen. It bursts somewhere else along the line where the pressure builds up.

Pipes start being at risk when temperatures drop to 20 degrees or below, especially if it stays that cold for an extended period. But it’s not just about outside temperature. Wind chill, insulation quality, and how well your home is sealed all play a role.

Here in Springfield, our freeze-thaw cycles can actually be harder on pipes than constant cold. When pipes freeze and thaw repeatedly, the stress on the material increases.

The pipes most at risk in your home:

Those running along exterior walls, especially in bathrooms and kitchens
Pipes in unheated spaces like crawl spaces, attics, and garages
Outdoor faucets and hose bibs
Pipes in cabinets on outside walls

Before Cold Weather Arrives

The best time to prevent frozen pipes is before winter hits. Here’s what you should do:

Insulate vulnerable pipes. You can buy foam pipe insulation at any hardware store for just a few dollars. It slips right over the pipe and makes a huge difference. For pipes that are especially vulnerable, consider heat tape or heat cables. These plug in and provide just enough warmth to keep pipes from freezing. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully because improper installation can create a fire hazard.

Seal cracks and openings. Walk around your home and look for gaps where pipes enter through exterior walls. Seal these with caulk or spray foam insulation. Even a small opening can let in enough cold air to freeze a pipe.

Add insulation to problem areas. If you have pipes in a crawl space or attic, adding insulation around those areas helps. Just make sure you’re insulating the space, not wrapping the pipes so tightly that they can’t get any heat from your home.

Know your home’s plumbing layout. Understanding where your pipes run helps you identify vulnerable spots. If you’re not sure, this is something a plumber can help you map out.

When the Temperature Drops

Once we’re in the thick of winter, there are simple steps that make a big difference:

Let faucets drip. This is one of those old pieces of advice that actually works. Running water, even at a trickle, is much harder to freeze than standing water. You don’t need a strong stream, just a steady drip. Focus on faucets served by pipes that run through unheated or exterior spaces.

Open cabinet doors. If you have sinks on exterior walls, open the cabinet doors to let warm air circulate around the pipes. This is especially important in kitchens and bathrooms.

Keep your thermostat consistent. Don’t turn your heat down dramatically at night to save money. The few dollars you save on heating aren’t worth a frozen pipe claim. Keep your home at a steady temperature, ideally no lower than 55 degrees even when you’re not home.

Close garage doors. If you have water lines running through your garage, keep that door closed as much as possible.

If You’re Leaving Town

This is where a lot of people run into trouble. You’re headed to visit family for the holidays, and you want to save some money on heating. So you turn the thermostat way down or even off. Don’t do it.

Here’s what you should do instead:

Keep your thermostat at a minimum of 55 degrees
Have someone check on your house every day if possible
Consider shutting off your main water supply and draining your pipes if you’ll be gone for an extended period (have a plumber do this if you’re not comfortable)
Install smart home technology like water sensors and temperature monitors that can alert you to problems

From an insurance standpoint, this is critical. Most homeowners policies have language about maintaining adequate heat. If you turn off your heat and leave for a week, and your pipes freeze, the insurance company can deny your claim.

What to Do If Your Pipes Freeze

Even with the best prevention, sometimes pipes freeze. Here’s what to do:

If you turn on a faucet and nothing comes out:

Leave the faucet open. As you thaw the pipe, you need somewhere for the water and steam to escape.
Locate the frozen section. It’s usually in an unheated area, and you might be able to see frost on the outside of the pipe.
Apply gentle heat. Use a hair dryer, heating pad, or warm towels. Start from the faucet end and work toward the frozen section. Never use an open flame, propane torch, or other high-heat source. You could damage the pipe or start a fire.
Check all other faucets. If one pipe froze, others might have too.
Call a plumber if you can’t locate the freeze or can’t reach the area.

If a pipe bursts:

Shut off your main water supply immediately.
Turn off electricity to the affected area if there’s a lot of water.
Call us at 417-882-1800 right away to start the claims process.
Document everything with photos and videos.
Start removing water as quickly as possible to prevent mold and additional damage.
Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage, but keep all receipts. These emergency repairs are usually covered.

What Your Insurance Covers (And What It Doesn’t)

This is where things get tricky, and it’s why we always tell customers to call us before assuming something is or isn’t covered.

Typically covered:

Sudden water damage from a burst pipe
Damage to your home’s structure (drywall, flooring, etc.)
Damage to personal property
Additional living expenses if your home isn’t livable during repairs

Typically NOT covered:

Gradual damage (a slow leak you should have noticed)
Damage that occurs because you didn’t maintain adequate heat
The cost of accessing the pipe (sometimes you have to open walls)
Damage that occurs when your home is vacant beyond the policy’s time limit

Every policy is different, and the details matter. This is why working with an independent agent like us makes a difference. We can explain exactly what your specific policy covers before you have a claim.

Smart Home Technology Can Help

We’re seeing more customers install water sensors and smart thermostats, and we think it’s a smart move. These devices can alert you to problems before they become disasters.

Water sensors sit on the floor near water heaters, washing machines, and in basements. If they detect water, they send an alert to your phone. Some can even automatically shut off your water supply.

Smart thermostats let you monitor and control your home’s temperature remotely. If you’re traveling and see the temperature dropping, you can adjust it from anywhere.

Some insurance carriers even offer discounts for these protective devices. Ask us about whether your policy qualifies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does it cost to repair a frozen pipe vs. prevent one?

A: Prevention might cost you $50-$200 in materials (pipe insulation, faucet covers, etc.) and a weekend of your time. The average frozen pipe claim we see is $5,000-$10,000, but extensive damage can run $20,000 or more. It’s not even close.

Q: Will filing a frozen pipe claim raise my rates?

A: Possibly. Any claim can affect your rates, and water damage claims are taken seriously by insurance companies. This is another reason prevention is so important. That said, if you have a legitimate covered loss, that’s what insurance is for. We can shop your policy with other carriers if rates become an issue.

Q: My neighbor says I should let all my faucets drip. Is that necessary?

A: You don’t need to have every faucet in your house dripping. Focus on faucets connected to pipes that run through unheated areas or along exterior walls. Usually, that’s just a few faucets. A small drip is enough.

Q: What temperature should I keep my house at when I’m on vacation?

A: Never go below 55 degrees, and honestly, 60-65 is safer. The money you save on heating is nothing compared to the cost of a frozen pipe claim. If you’re going to be gone for more than a few days in cold weather, consider having someone check on your house daily.

Q: Does insurance cover the cost of thawing frozen pipes?

A: Usually not. Insurance covers damage that results from the frozen pipe, like water damage from a burst. But the cost of a plumber coming out to thaw pipes that haven’t burst yet typically isn’t covered. Still way cheaper than dealing with burst pipe damage though.