An Expert Guide to Preventing Frozen Pipes in Your Brownsburg Home

With temperatures dropping far below freezing in Brownsburg in January 2025, it looks like winter will be both harsh and beautiful. If you own a home here, you may face more problems than shoveling snow from your driveway.

When the weather gets too cold, the pipes in your home are exposed to the cold and at risk of freezing. If this happens, your pipes may burst or leak and then cause extensive damage to your property. It will also disrupt your water supply, which is not ideal in winter.

Keep reading to discover how you can take action to prevent frozen pipes and protect your home until spring arrives.

Prevent frozen and burst pipes by booking a pipe inspection with Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling. A paid service gets you a FREE plumbing service call. Take advantage of this limited-time offer!

What Causes Pipes to Freeze?

A frozen pipe is a direct result of extremely cold weather. Frigid air that comes into contact with exposed pipes causes the water inside to freeze. Because water expands when freezing, it increases the pressure inside the pipe.

The pressure can cause the pipe to crack or burst as it expands. When the ice melts, you will be left with serious water damage.

Water inside plumbing pipes usually freezes when the temperature drops below 32°F. Moreover, certain areas in your home will be more susceptible to frozen pipes, particularly poorly heated spaces.

How to Take Action and Prevent Your Pipes From Freezing

You can protect pipes from freezing by taking these proactive steps:

• Insulating exposed pipes inside and outside. Insulating exposed pipes is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent them from freezing. You can use foam, heat tape, or pipe sleeves to cover and insulate exposed pipes. Since the cold weather in Brownsburg can be severe, insulate all pipes in crawl spaces, basements, and attics.
• Keeping heating consistent. If you are leaving for warmer shores in winter, do not turn your thermostat down. A smart thermostat will allow you to heat your home even when you are away. Even if you go away for a weekend, keep the thermostat at no lower than 55°F. You want the temperature inside your house to stay consistent so pipes are less likely to freeze. Additionally, you can leave cabinet doors open to help the warm air circulate around pipes.
• Fixing and sealing gaps that allow drafts to enter the home. If you feel a draft, even though the heating is on, there may be gaps and cracks around your windows and doors. When cold air continues to seep in through these openings, it increases the risk of your pipes freezing. Use professional fixes, including caulking and weather stripping, to prevent cold air from reaching your pipes.
• Keeping faucets slightly open. Another way to prevent frozen pipes is to keep the faucets dripping. You do not have to open them wide, just enough so the water drips slowly. This strategy is especially valuable for faucets near exterior walls or uninsulated rooms. A steady drip will help prevent pipes from freezing, even in the most brutal winter.

How to Protect Your Outdoor Pipes

Do not forget about your outdoor pipes when winterizing your property. The following tips will help you protect them throughout the cold months:

• Drain the water from outdoor faucets and hoses. Do not leave your hoses connected to the faucet in winter for two reasons. First, the water left inside them can freeze. Second, a frozen hose will inevitably become damaged, as will the faucet.
• Invest in winter-proof faucet covers. Your outdoor spigots should be protected with faucet covers. These covers provide an extra insulation layer, increasing the temperature around the spigot.
• Protect your irrigation system. If you have an irrigation system, shut it off and drain the remaining water. As with garden hoses, water in irrigation systems can freeze, causing damage.

Can You Thaw a Frozen Pipe?

If one or more of your pipes freeze, you must act quickly to minimize the damage:

• Find the main water valve and shut it off. The last thing you want is for the water to flow unabated against the frozen section of the pipe. Turn off the main water supply before doing anything else to limit the damage if the pipe bursts.
• Warm the pipe slowly. If there are no leaks or bursts, you can try to warm the pipe slowly. Take a hairdryer and move it slowly up and down the frozen section of the pipe. You can also try using a heating pad (as long as it is not at a scorching temperature) or warm towels. The idea is to heat the pipe evenly to prevent it from bursting. Do not be tempted to use blow torches or other high-heat sources. In the worst-case scenario, your pipe may crack, burst, or even explode.
• Get help from a professional plumber. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that you will be able to thaw the frozen section of the pipe. Call a professional plumber immediately if the pipe remains frozen or you notice a leak.

Professional plumbers have the tools and skills to thaw frozen pipes and expertly repair any damage.

Frozen pipes are one of the most serious concerns for Brownsburg homeowners. The colder it gets, the higher the risk of pipes freezing. Considering that winter weather is highly unpredictable, taking the necessary winterizing steps early is important.

Protecting your pipes properly can significantly reduce the chances of frozen pipes and expensive damage. Never wait until it is too late to protect your home. If you implement these tips today, you will have no expenses to regret tomorrow.

Get Peace of Mind With the Help of Summers PHC

Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling can protect your plumbing system and Brownsburg  home throughout the cold months. Book a maintenance appointment with us and enjoy our local specials. For more information, call 317-742-6699 or request a service online.