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A single cold snap can turn a pinhole in a frozen pipe into thousands of dollars of water damage. Northwest Ohio regularly drops below 0°F, so it’s worth a few minutes of prep every fall.
Where pipes freeze first
- Exterior walls, especially kitchen and bathroom sinks on north-facing walls
- Crawl spaces and unheated basements
- Garages with water lines to a laundry room or utility sink
- Outdoor hose bibs that weren’t shut off and drained
Before the cold hits
- Shut off and drain outdoor faucets, and disconnect hoses.
- Insulate exposed pipes with foam sleeves. They cost a few dollars at any hardware store.
- Seal drafts near pipes: rim joists, dryer vents and cable penetrations.
- Keep the heat at 55°F or higher, even when you travel.
- Know where your main shutoff valve is, and make sure it turns.
When it’s below zero
Open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls and let faucets drip slightly. Moving water is much harder to freeze.
If a pipe freezes or bursts
- Frozen, not leaking: open the faucet and warm the pipe with a hair dryer or space heater. Never use an open flame.
- Burst: shut off the main water valve immediately, then call a plumber. Turn off power to any wet areas.
- Photograph the damage for your insurance claim.
What it costs
Thawing and minor repairs typically run $200 to $1,000 in Ohio. Re-piping a section in a finished wall costs more, and water cleanup is separate. See our plumbing cost guide for current ranges.
Find a plumber
Compare frozen pipe repair pros and local plumbers by Home Pros Score. Many offer 24/7 emergency service. While you’re prepping for winter, run through the free winter readiness assessment.
