How to Prevent Frozen Pipes During a Hampton Roads Cold Snap

Hampton Roads doesn’t see many hard freezes, which is exactly why frozen pipes catch people off guard. Homes here are often built with plumbing in vented crawl spaces, attics and exterior walls, and when temperatures drop into the low 20s for a night or two, those pipes are the first to go.

Know where your vulnerable pipes are

Look at supply lines in the crawl space, pipes running through the garage or attic (including fire-sprinkler lines), outdoor hose bibs and any sink on an exterior wall. These are the spots we repair most after a cold snap.

Before the freeze

Disconnect garden hoses and cover outdoor faucets, close crawl-space vents, and insulate exposed lines with foam pipe sleeves. If you’ll be away, keep the thermostat at 55°F or higher.

A dollar of foam pipe insulation in November can save thousands in water damage in January.

During the cold snap

Let a thin stream of water run from faucets on exterior walls and open the cabinet doors under sinks so warm air can reach the pipes. Never use an open flame to thaw a pipe.

If a pipe bursts

Shut off the main water valve immediately, turn off the water heater, and call a plumber. Tidemark Plumbing keeps technicians on call around the clock during freezes to repair burst pipes across Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk and Portsmouth.

Winter Pipes Tips

Questions?