Know which runs freeze first
Pipes in exterior walls, unheated crawlspaces, attics, garages and along rim joists are the ones that go. So are outdoor spigots that still have a hose attached. Anything running through an uninsulated space with an exterior wall on one side is a candidate.
Disconnect hoses before the first hard freeze
A hose left connected traps water in the spigot and the short run of pipe behind it. That water freezes, expands, and splits the pipe inside the wall. You often don't find out until spring when you turn the spigot on and water appears in the basement.
Insulate the runs, not just the pipes you can see
Foam sleeves on accessible pipe are worth doing, but the more important job is sealing the air leaks that let cold reach the pipe in the first place. Rim joist gaps, crawlspace vents and gaps where the service line enters are where the cold gets in.
On the coldest nights, keep water moving
A pencil-thin trickle from the faucet furthest from the main keeps water moving through the vulnerable run. Moving water is much harder to freeze. Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls so heated room air reaches the pipe.
If a pipe does freeze, don't use a torch
Open flame on a pipe is a leading cause of winter house fires, and it can boil trapped water and burst the pipe outright. Use controlled heat, open the faucet so melting water has an escape, and work from the faucet end back toward the frozen section.
Be ready for the thaw
The split happens while it's frozen; the flood happens when it thaws. If you had a freeze, know where the main shutoff is and check the run for leaks as it releases.
If a pipe has already frozen or split, thawing it safely matters more than doing it fast. We handle frozen pipe repair across Michigan around the clock. Call (888) 809-6756 any hour, or read more about Frozen Pipe Repair in Michigan.