Virginia's winters are deceptively mild — until they're not. Every year, a late-season cold snap catches homeowners off guard, and we get a wave of emergency calls for burst pipes. The good news: frozen pipes are almost entirely preventable. Here's exactly what to do.

Why Frozen Pipes Are a Big Deal

Water expands when it freezes. That expansion creates pressure inside your pipes — up to 2,000 psi — more than enough to split copper, crack PVC, or burst PEX tubing. When the pipe thaws, water floods wherever the split occurred. In a finished basement or behind drywall, you might not notice until significant damage has already happened.

The typical insurance claim for a burst pipe is in the thousands of dollars. The cost to prevent it is essentially zero.

⚠️ Know Your Risk Zones: Pipes most vulnerable to freezing: exterior walls, crawl spaces, garage walls, unheated utility rooms, and pipes under kitchen/bathroom sinks on exterior walls.

Before the Cold Hits: Prevention Checklist

1

Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hoses

Leaving a garden hose connected to your outdoor spigot traps water in the line. Even frost-free sillcocks (outdoor faucets) can freeze if a hose is left attached — the frost-free design is defeated. Disconnect all hoses and store them before temperatures drop below 32°F.

2

Insulate Exposed Pipes

Foam pipe insulation is inexpensive and available at any hardware store. Focus on pipes in unheated spaces: crawl spaces, garages, attics, and along exterior walls. This is a one-time, one-afternoon project that pays off every winter.

3

Know Where Your Main Shutoff Is

If a pipe bursts, the first thing you need to do is shut off your main water supply. Find it now — before you're in a panic at 2am with water running through your ceiling. In most Northern Virginia homes, it's near the water meter, typically in the utility room, basement, or outside near the foundation.

4

Seal Drafts and Gaps

Cold air intrusion accelerates freezing. Check for gaps where pipes enter exterior walls — around the foundation, near outdoor faucets, and in the garage. Use caulk or expanding spray foam to seal any openings. This also helps your HVAC efficiency.

5

Keep the Heat On — Even When You're Away

If you're traveling during cold weather, don't turn your thermostat all the way down. Set it to at least 55°F. The cost of heating your home while you're gone is trivial compared to a burst pipe and water damage restoration.

During a Cold Snap

1

Open Cabinet Doors Under Sinks

For kitchen and bathroom sinks on exterior walls, open the cabinet doors to allow warm household air to circulate around the pipes. This simple step can make a meaningful difference during an overnight cold snap.

2

Let Faucets Drip

Running water, even a slow drip, is much harder to freeze than standing water. On nights when temperatures dip below 20°F, let the faucets served by exterior-wall pipes trickle slightly — both hot and cold. Yes, it wastes a little water. It's worth it.

3

Add Temporary Heat to Problem Areas

A portable space heater directed at a vulnerable pipe area (like an unheated utility room or garage) can provide protection during an extreme cold event. Never leave space heaters unattended or near flammable materials.

💡 Pro Tip from Wint: If you're leaving town in winter, have someone you trust check the house every day or two — or at minimum, turn off your main water shutoff and drain the lines before you leave. It's the safest approach.

What to Do if Your Pipes Are Already Frozen

You turn on a faucet and nothing comes out, or just a trickle. A pipe is likely frozen. Here's what to do — and what not to do.

DO: Turn off the main water shutoff immediately as a precaution. Open the affected faucet to relieve pressure as the ice melts. Use a hair dryer on the low setting to slowly warm the pipe, working from the faucet end back toward the frozen section. Warm towels soaked in hot water also work.

DON'T: Use an open flame, blowtorch, or propane heater near pipes — this is a fire hazard and can melt your pipes or fittings. Don't assume that because water is flowing in other parts of the house that everything is fine — multiple pipes can be frozen.

⚠️ When to Call a Plumber: If you can't locate the frozen section, if the pipe has already burst, or if you're not comfortable working near your plumbing, call us immediately. A burst pipe in a wall or ceiling requires professional repair — the longer you wait, the more water damage accumulates.

Frozen or Burst Pipe? We're Available 24/7.

P&D Plumbing provides emergency service across Loudoun and Fairfax Counties. We'll get to you fast.

Call (703) 939-4473

A Note on Virginia's Climate

Northern Virginia sits in a climate zone where hard freezes are relatively infrequent — which is exactly why they're dangerous. Homeowners and even some builders don't always take freeze protection as seriously as they should. We've seen homes in Brambleton, South Riding, and Ashburn with pipes in uninsulated garage walls that were fine for 15 years until one February night hit 8°F.

Doing the prevention work now — even in April, when you're already thinking about warm weather — means you'll be ready when next winter arrives.