How to Prevent Frozen Pipes During a Nor'easter

Know which pipes are at risk

Pipes freeze where the cold reaches them: exposed runs in exterior walls, unheated garages, crawlspaces, attics, and along the rim of the basement. The supply lines to outdoor faucets are especially vulnerable. Identifying these runs before a storm is the first step — you cannot protect what you have not located.

Insulate and seal before the storm

Insulate exposed pipes with foam sleeves, and seal the drafts and gaps that let freezing air reach them — around rim joists, in the garage, near where pipes pass through exterior walls. Disconnect outdoor hoses and shut off and drain exterior faucets. These are inexpensive fixes that dramatically cut your freeze risk.

During the cold snap

• Keep the heat on and set no lower than about 55°F, even if you are away
• Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls to let warm air reach the pipes
• Let a faucet fed by a vulnerable pipe run at a slow trickle — moving water resists freezing
• If power fails and the house cools, be extra vigilant, as an unheated home during a storm is the highest-risk scenario

If a pipe freezes but has not burst

If a faucet runs to a trickle or stops in the cold, you likely have a freeze forming. Open that faucet to relieve pressure, and warm the area if you safely can. Never use an open flame or torch — it is a fire hazard and can crack the pipe. Call for controlled thawing and a leak inspection, because a pipe that froze has a weak spot even if it has not burst yet.

The power-outage connection

Nor’easters are dangerous for pipes precisely because they combine deep cold with power outages. A home that loses heat during a freeze can drop below freezing inside, and that is when interior pipes fail. If your area is prone to outages, know your main shutoff so you can cut the water fast if a pipe does let go, and consider having a plumber assess your most vulnerable runs before winter.

Before and during the storm

The pipes that freeze are almost always the exposed ones, and the worst failures come when a freeze coincides with a power outage. Prep the vulnerable runs before winter, then take a few extra steps when a hard freeze is forecast.

Your freeze-prevention plan:

• Insulate pipes in exterior walls, garages, attics, and crawlspaces
• Seal drafts near pipe runs and disconnect outdoor hoses
• Keep the heat on, no lower than about 55°F, even when away
• Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls
• Let a faucet fed by a vulnerable pipe run at a slow trickle

The power-outage scenario to plan for

Nor’easters are dangerous for pipes precisely because they combine deep cold with power outages. A home that loses heat during a hard freeze can drop below freezing inside, and that’s when interior pipes — not just the exposed ones — start to fail.

If your area is prone to outages, plan for it: know exactly where your main shutoff is so you can cut the water fast if a pipe does let go, keep the house sealed against drafts, and consider having a plumber assess your most vulnerable runs before winter. A little redundancy goes a long way when the heat is out and the temperature is dropping.

And if a pipe does freeze, resist the instinct to force it. Never use an open flame or a torch — it’s a fire hazard and can crack the pipe from thermal shock. Open the affected faucet to relieve pressure, warm the area gently if you safely can, and call for a controlled thaw and a leak inspection.

During a hard freeze or Nor’easter

Preparation before winter matters most, but a few extra steps during an actual cold snap add real protection — especially if the forecast includes a chance of power loss.

When a hard freeze is coming:

• Keep the heat on and set no lower than about 55°F
• Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls
• Let a faucet fed by a vulnerable pipe run at a slow trickle
• Keep the garage closed if water lines run through it
• Know where your main shutoff is in case a pipe lets go

The bottom line

Frozen pipes are preventable with insulation, sealed drafts, steady heat, and a little vigilance during a storm. If a pipe does freeze, don’t use an open flame — call (831) 290-4327 for a safe, controlled thaw and a leak inspection before it bursts.