Beneath the Surface: What Cold Weather Really Does to Your Pipes

Freezing temperatures put hidden pressure on your home’s plumbing. Understanding what happens and preparing early can make the difference between a smooth winter and a burst-pipe emergency.

What You See

The thermostat dips. Snow falls. You turn up the heat, throw on an extra layer, and go about your day. Inside, things feel under control, but winter has already started working behind the scenes.

What’s Happening Inside Your Pipes

Cold air finds its way into uninsulated or unheated areas of your home: basements, crawl spaces, garages, attics, and exterior walls. Pipes in these locations are at risk of freezing when temperatures fall.

Here’s what happens:

• When water inside a pipe freezes, it expands.
• That expansion creates pressure inside the pipe.
• If the pressure builds too much, the pipe can crack or burst.

Why does water expand when it freezes? It’s due to the molecular structure of ice. As water freezes, its molecules spread out into a crystalline pattern, taking up more space. That expansion exerts force outward—especially dangerous in a closed pipe.

Pipe bursts don’t always happen during the freeze. Often, they occur when the ice begins to thaw, water starts moving again, and cracks reveal themselves—sometimes behind walls or under floors.

Who’s at Risk?

It’s a common misconception that only older homes experience frozen pipes. In reality, any home with exposed or poorly insulated plumbing is at risk during freezing temperatures.

Even newly built homes can have vulnerabilities. Modern construction often prioritizes efficiency and aesthetics, which can unintentionally route plumbing through unconditioned or under-insulated spaces. For example, pipes may be installed inside exterior walls for the convenience of layout or run through garages, crawl spaces, or attics to save space.

Here’s why that matters:

Cold air can easily reach these areas, especially if there are air leaks around vents, electrical outlets, plumbing penetrations, or poorly sealed foundations. Even a small draft can allow temperatures inside a wall or crawl space to drop well below freezing — especially during overnight cold snaps.

And once a pipe drops to 32°F or lower, water inside can begin to freeze. As it freezes, it expands and creates pressure that can cause cracks or full pipe bursts.

Common freeze-prone plumbing locations include:

• Uninsulated basements and crawl spaces
• Pipes inside exterior walls, especially beneath sinks or behind cabinets
• Garages, attics, or utility closets without heating
• Outdoor spigots and hose bibs
• Laundry rooms or mudrooms built along exterior walls

The Damage You Don’t Spot, Until It’s Too Late

Pipe damage doesn’t always start with a dramatic burst. More often, it begins quietly with a slow leak behind a wall, under a floor, or beneath a sink.

By the time you notice signs like water stains, musty odors, or low water pressure, the damage is already done. Hidden water damage can lead to:

• Soaked or sagging insulation
• Mold growth inside walls or under flooring
• Rotting wood framing or drywall
• Corrosion of electrical wiring and outlets
• Long-term structural damage

A single crack in a pipe, even just a quarter inch long, can release hundreds of gallons of water per day. Left unchecked, what starts as a small issue can quickly become a costly home repair — especially if damage spreads beyond the plumbing system.

How to Protect Your Home Now

Here’s what we recommend to keep your plumbing protected all season long:

• Insulate pipes in unheated areas, such as basements, garages, and crawl spaces.
• Let faucets drip slightly during extreme cold to keep water moving.
• Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate pipes.
• Seal air leaks around windows, doors, and your home’s foundation.
• Schedule a whole-home plumbing inspection, especially if you’ve experienced freeze issues in the past.

Let’s Get Your Home Ready for Winter

Don’t wait for the damage to surface. At Atlas Butler, we’ve seen firsthand how quickly winter can take a toll on plumbing and how preventable some issues are. Our emergency plumbing technicians are available 24/7 to assess your system, identify vulnerable areas, and provide smart, proactive solutions before a problem strikes.

Schedule your whole-home plumbing check-up today. Call 1-800-FURNACE.

What Our Customers are Saying:

“5-star plumbing service, Kyle was able to help me with bathtub plumbing issues very quickly, and he was super professional and kind. I couldn’t ask for a better service and will always use Atlas Butler plumbing in the future.” - James A.

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