How to Winterize Your Plumbing and Pipes

Winterizing the whole house? Start with the full checklist.

Winterizing the whole house? Start with the full checklist .

Every winter, over 250,000 American households experience burst pipes, causing an average of $5,000–$70,000 in water damage per incident. The Insurance Information Institute reports that frozen pipe claims are among the most expensive homeowner insurance claims — yet nearly all of them are preventable with proper winterization. This guide walks you through exactly what to do, when, and how much it costs.

Water expands by approximately 9% when it freezes. Inside a closed pipe, this expansion generates pressures exceeding 2,000 PSI — enough to rupture copper, PVC, PEX, and even steel pipes. The damage rarely happens at the ice blockage itself. Instead, pressure builds between the ice and a closed faucet, splitting the pipe at its weakest point. When the ice thaws, you get an uncontrolled water flow that can dump 400–600 gallons per hour into your home.

If a standard faucet is cracked or will not shut off, plan on replacing a hose bib before the first freeze.