When temperatures plunge across Pittsburgh, an unprotected water pipe can freeze in a matter of hours — and a frozen pipe that bursts can flood a basement or destroy walls and floors before you even realize what happened. Every winter, local plumbers respond to burst-pipe emergencies that a few simple precautions could have prevented.

The good news: protecting your pipes does not require special skills or expensive equipment. Here is what Pittsburgh homeowners should do before the deep cold sets in.

Why Pipes Freeze — and Why It Matters

Water expands as it freezes, and that expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever contains it — including your pipes. The most vulnerable pipes are the ones in unheated areas: crawl spaces, attics, garages, exterior walls, and additions built over unheated spaces. Even a small draft through a crack in the foundation can freeze a nearby pipe on a bitter night.

When a pipe bursts, the break usually happens not at the frozen blockage itself but between the blockage and a closed faucet, where pressure builds with nowhere to go. A single burst pipe can release hundreds of gallons of water into your home, which is why prevention matters far more than reaction.

Insulate Exposed Pipes

Foam pipe insulation sleeves are inexpensive, available at any hardware store, and slip over pipes in minutes. Focus on pipes in unheated areas — basements, crawl spaces, attics, and garages — and pay special attention to runs along exterior walls, which lose heat fastest.

For especially vulnerable spots, such as a pipe in a drafty crawl space, consider heat tape or a heat cable, which uses a small amount of electricity to keep the pipe above freezing. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, and never overlap heat tape over itself.

Seal Drafts and Cracks Near Plumbing

Insulation helps, but stopping cold air from reaching your pipes in the first place is even better. Walk around your foundation, crawl space, and exterior walls and seal gaps where cold air leaks in — around dryer vents, cable and pipe penetrations, and rim joists in the basement. A tube of caulk and some spray foam go a long way.

Inside, keep garage doors closed during cold snaps if water lines run through the garage, and make sure crawl space vents are closed for the winter if your home has them.

Let Faucets Drip During Deep Freezes

When the forecast calls for single digits or worse, let faucets served by exposed pipes drip slowly — both the hot and cold lines. Moving water is far less likely to freeze, and an open faucet relieves pressure even if ice begins to form.

You do not need a heavy stream; a steady drip or pencil-thin trickle is enough. Prioritize faucets on exterior walls, which freeze first. It uses a small amount of water — nothing compared to the thousands of gallons a burst pipe can unleash.

Shut Off and Drain Outdoor Hose Bibs

Outdoor faucets are among the first casualties of freezing weather. Before the first hard freeze, close the interior shutoff valve feeding each hose bib, then open the outdoor faucet to drain the remaining water. Disconnect and store garden hoses — a connected hose traps water in the line and practically invites a burst.

Even frost-free hose bibs benefit from disconnecting hoses for the winter. If you are unsure whether your outdoor faucets have interior shutoffs, take a few minutes to find out before the cold arrives.

Know Where Your Main Water Shutoff Is

If a pipe does burst, the first move is to stop the water — which means knowing exactly where your main shutoff valve is before an emergency. In most Pittsburgh homes it sits in the basement or crawl space where the water line enters, often near the water meter.

Find it now, make sure every adult in the household knows its location, and test it by turning it off and back on. Older gate valves can seize after years of disuse; if yours will not budge, have it replaced before you need it in a crisis.

Keep the Heat On — Even When You Are Away

Heading out of town for the holidays? Never shut the heat off entirely. Keep the thermostat at 55 degrees or higher so interior pipes stay safely above freezing, and open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls to let warm air circulate around the plumbing.

For extended absences, have a neighbor check the house periodically. If you will be gone for weeks, consider shutting off the main water supply as an extra layer of protection.

What to Do If a Pipe Freezes

If you open a faucet and only a trickle comes out — or nothing at all — a pipe may be frozen. Keep the faucet open; as the pipe thaws, moving water helps melt the ice. Apply gentle heat to the frozen section with a hair dryer, heating pad, or warm towels, working from the faucet back toward the frozen area. Never use an open flame or blowtorch — the fire risk is not worth it.

Check your other faucets as well, since freezing conditions rarely affect just one pipe. And watch closely as things thaw: a pipe that held while frozen can start leaking once water flows again.

When to Call a Professional

Some situations call for a plumber: a frozen pipe you cannot locate or safely reach, a burst pipe actively flooding your home, or the same pipe freezing repeatedly — a sign of a deeper insulation or routing problem worth fixing properly. If water is pouring where it should not be, shut off your main valve immediately and call for 24/7 emergency plumbing; fast response limits the damage.

At Man Made Services, we help Pittsburgh homeowners prepare for winter — and we respond when prevention was not enough. Email support@manmadeservices.net to schedule service, and stay warm out there.