Your Guide to Prevent Frozen Pipes in Your Broad Ripple Home

Winter in Broad Ripple brings picturesque views of a sparkling white landscape. It is the perfect time to cozy up in front of the fire with hot chocolate and snacks.

But, if you did not prepare your home, particularly your plumbing, for the cold months, you may not have much time to enjoy the best of winter. The heavy snow of the first winter storm of 2025 can and will lead to frozen pipes if they are not protected.

Frozen pipes are far more than just an inconvenience. If you don’t know what to do when your pipes freeze, they can burst, leading to water damage and expensive repairs.

Don’t let frozen pipes empty your pocket. Book a paid service with Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling for a pipe inspection and get a FREE plumbing service call. Limited-time offer only!

Why Do Pipes Freeze?

Winter typically brings with it below-freezing temperatures. The extreme cold can freeze water inside pipes. When the frozen water expands, it increases the pressure inside the pipes, which can lead to burst pipes.

Older homes in Broad Ripple have plumbing systems that may be more vulnerable to freezing. This is because of insufficient insulation and outdated materials. Pipes in unheated areas of these homes are at the highest risk of freezing.

If a pipe bursts anywhere in your home, it can result in water damage as the ice melts and lead to structural damage.

Some of the highest-risk areas include the following:

• Exposed outdoor pipes. If you have sprinkler lines, hose bibs, and other outdoor plumbing, they are directly exposed to frigid air. They will be the first to freeze.
• Uninsulated areas in the home. Pipes that run through uninsulated walls, crawl spaces, basements, and attics are at a high risk of freezing as the temperatures drop.
• Inadequately heated spaces. If heat is not distributed evenly throughout your home, you may experience freezing temperatures in specific areas. This usually includes garages or guest rooms that are not frequently used. As such, the pipes here will be more prone to freezing.

Understanding the weak lines in your plumbing system is the first step in preventing pipes from freezing.

How to Prevent Pipes From Freezing

Preventing frozen pipes requires a proactive strategy. If you systematically protect the plumbing system in your home, you can avoid paying a lot of money to fix burst pipes and subsequent water damage.

The following steps are crucial:

• Insulate exposed pipes. All exposed pipes must be protected from the cold. Wrap them in protective materials like heat tape, pipe sleeves, and foam. Create a protective barrier to prevent the water inside the pipes from freezing. Pipes in areas with poor heating and insulation must also be covered. Remember to insulate even hot water pipes to reduce the risk of freezing while improving your home’s energy efficiency.
• Do not turn the heat off. Your home must be consistently heated to or above 55°F throughout winter. This will keep unheated spaces warm enough to prevent pipes from freezing. You can increase the heat with space heaters in very cold areas of your home. But do not leave them on if you are not at home, as they may pose a fire hazard.
• Seal all cracks and openings in the home. Your home may have gaps or openings where cold air flows in freely. If this cold air reaches your pipes, it can freeze them.You can use both caulking and weather stripping to seal cracks and gaps. Focus on openings around windows, doors, walls, and the areas where pipes enter the house.
• Do not close faucets all the way. Faucets connected to exposed pipes should be opened slightly. A small continuous drip keeps the water moving, making it harder to freeze. Turn on faucets that are far away from your main water supply. This will encourage water to flow through the entire plumbing system.

What to Consider for Outdoor Pipes

You should take extra protective measures for outdoor pipes:

• Outdoor faucets must be drained, and the hoses disconnected. Do not leave water inside outdoor faucets and garden hoses. Drain them to prevent freezing.
• Outdoor spigots should be covered. Insulated faucet covers on outdoor spigots will help protect them when it snows and the temperatures drop below freezing.
• Take the extra step to winterize your irrigation system. You should shut down your irrigation system and drain it. This will prevent damage to underground pipes and sprinkler heads as it gets colder.

What to Do If a Pipe Freezes

Despite your best efforts, one or more of your pipes could still freeze. This is especially true during harsh winter storms like the one experienced in Indianapolis in January 2025. If this happens, do the following:

• Shut off the water. Turning off the water will prevent further damage.
• Try to thaw the pipe (slowly). When the water is off, use controlled heat to warm a frozen pipe. You can do this using a hair dryer or heating pad. Do not overheat the pipe in a short amount of time. Instead, move the dryer back and forth to ensure even heating. You can also wrap the pipe with a heating pad or warm towel soaked in hot water.
• Avoid using open flames. Stay away from things like blowtorches when heating the pipes. They can pose a fire hazard and cause extreme damage to the plumbing system.
• Call the professionals. If the frozen pipe won’t thaw, or if you notice water stains or pooling, call a professional plumber immediately.

You can only prevent damage to your home if you implement these tips long before winter starts. If you wait too long, your plumbing system will not be as protected as it could be.

Summers PHC Can Help You Protect Your Pipes

The experts at Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling can keep your Broad Ripple home’s plumbing running efficiently throughout winter. Schedule annual maintenance with us and enjoy our local specials. Call 317-747-2971 or request service online.