We assumed frozen pipes were a problem we’d left behind when we moved to Florida, but a recent arctic blast pushed overnight lows into the low 20s for three nights and reached an all-time low of 18°F here in Northwest Florida. That kind of cold is rare for this region and it exposed how vulnerable many local homes are to freezing temperatures. When water freezes it expands, and that expansion can crack or burst pipes, causing leaks or flooding.
Fortunately, a few practical steps helped us avoid frozen pipes. Several neighbors weren’t so lucky, with some experiencing burst lines. Below are six reliable strategies that worked for us—one includes a local plumber’s trick that protected our outdoor shower.
Tip 1: Identify the Pipes That Are at Risk
Start by surveying your home’s plumbing to find the most vulnerable sections. Prioritizing these areas lets you focus your efforts and monitor them more closely during a cold snap. Common trouble spots include:
- Outdoor fixtures such as hose bibs and outdoor showers
- Pipes in unconditioned spaces: garages, attics, and crawl spaces
- Plumbing running along exterior walls
- Pipes tucked inside cabinets or closets away from heat sources
- Pipes exposed to wind on docks or unenclosed areas
- Any uninsulated piping
Our main concerns were exterior lines: the water heater, outdoor shower, and hose bibs. Our interior plumbing was less worrisome because our whole-house generator kept the heat on, and indoor heat loss is usually what puts internal pipes at risk. Still, if your heat may go out, take extra precautions for interior pipes in attics, basements, or garages.
Tip 2: Insulate Exposed Pipes
Insulating pipes is one of the quickest and most effective preventative steps. Some of our outdoor plumbing already had insulation, but long runs of copper to the outdoor shower were exposed. We bought self-sealing foam tubular pipe insulation and the necessary elbows and tees. These foam tubes are inexpensive and simple to install.
It took about 15 minutes to cover the exposed outdoor pipes. Where tubes wouldn’t fit, adhesive insulating tape worked well on tight spots and fittings. We also checked attic plumbing and brushed blown-in insulation back over any uncovered pipes. Remember: even indoor pipes can freeze if they run through cold, uninsulated spaces.
Tip 3: Let Faucets Drip
Keeping water moving, even as a slow drip, reduces the chance of freezing. Make sure to drip both the cold and hot water lines—many people assume only the cold needs to drip and then find the hot line has frozen. Inside, we opened bathroom and kitchen faucets to a slight trickle.
The outdoor shower was more complicated because turning the hot on fully would spray water continuously for days. A local plumber recommended removing the showerhead and attaching a cap that is hand-tightened so a small leak can escape. Setting the valve to a mid temperature then allows both hot and cold lines to move water gently without a full spray. We monitored outdoor fixtures frequently to ensure continued dripping and to check for ice or blockages.
To avoid accidental shutoffs, we placed reminder signs on sinks so family members wouldn’t turn the faucets off by mistake. Although it feels wasteful, a small drip costs only pennies per day and is far less expensive than repairing burst pipes or cleaning up flood damage.
Tip 4: Shut Off Water When Appropriate
If you won’t be home to monitor dripping fixtures, consider shutting off water to parts of the house or the entire house. For example, a separate outdoor shut-off for an outdoor shower makes that option easy. After shutting off the supply, always release pressure by opening the lowest valve or hose bib until flow slows—otherwise trapped water can still cause a burst.
Tip 5: Pools Can Usually Handle Cold Snaps
Our pool initially worried us because several PVC lines were exposed. After speaking with our pool service—who has experience with colder climates—we learned our controller features a Freeze Protect mode that activates below a set temperature. This cycles pumps and features so water keeps moving, which greatly reduces freeze risk. Even without automatic protection, running pumps manually to keep water circulating is an effective measure.
We watched our pool cycle water and run the fountains and spa intermittently for several days. While you should still check your system and consult your pool company before extreme cold, modern controllers or simply keeping pumps running will often protect pool plumbing. Backup power like generators is another safeguard many locals rely on.
Tip 6: Nothing Is Foolproof
Even with precautions, no method is guaranteed to prevent every possible issue in every situation. Still, these steps significantly reduce risk and gave us peace of mind through the cold snap. We avoided any plumbing problems by identifying vulnerable lines, insulating exposed piping, letting fixtures drip, shutting off water when appropriate, and confirming our pool protection settings.
Additional Cold-Weather Preparations
Beyond plumbing, we also took measures to protect outdoor plants and landscaping during the cold event. Simple tactics like covering sensitive plants and moving potted specimens inside can make a big difference. If your heating may fail, follow specific guidance for protecting interior plumbing and maintain a plan for dealing with outages.
*This post originally referenced products and resources used during our preparations; we may earn a small commission from certain purchases at no extra cost to you.