Which pipes freeze first
Pipes in crawl spaces, garages, attics and exterior walls, plus outdoor hose bibs and sprinkler lines. Homes in the Litchfield hills and the northeast corner see the coldest nights, but a wind-exposed wall in Stamford can freeze just as fast.
Prevention checklist
Disconnect garden hoses and shut off hose bibs. Insulate exposed pipes. Keep the heat at 55°F or higher even when away. Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls. Let a faucet drip during extreme cold.
If a pipe freezes
Open the faucet so melting water can escape, then warm the pipe gently with a hair dryer or warm towels starting at the faucet end. Never use a torch. If you cannot find the frozen section, call our frozen pipe repair team.
If a pipe bursts
Shut off the main water valve immediately, open faucets to drain the system and call our burst pipe repair plumbers. We are available 24/7 statewide.
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