How to Winterize Your Pipes Before Naperville’s First Freeze
When temperatures drop below freezing, there is a high risk of plumbing problems. Water inside a pipe can freeze and expand, putting pressure on the pipe and causing it to crack or burst. In some cases, the damage may not be noticed until the ice melts and water starts leaking.
Naperville homeowners can take a few simple steps before winter to protect their plumbing. For example, checking cold areas, insulating pipes, sealing drafts, and preparing outdoor plumbing can help reduce the risk of frozen pipes and water leaks. Here is a detailed explanation of pipe winterization. Read on to learn more.
When Should You Winterize Your Pipes in Naperville?
Cold weather can arrive earlier than expected in Northern Illinois. According to the weather data, the Naperville area has a median first freeze of 32°F around October. The Lisle-Morton Arboretum station, which is the closest tracking station to Naperville, shows a 30% probability of a freezing event on or before that date.
A hard freeze occurs at 28°F or lower. Across Central and Northern Illinois, hard freezes usually arrive from late October through early November.
That does not mean October is a safe date to start preparing. The Illinois State Climatologist recommends allowing about two weeks of extra time before the local median frost date.
Freeze benchmark | Naperville area |
Target winterization date | September |
Median first freeze | October |
Hard freeze | 28°F or lower |
Typical hard-freeze period | Late October to early November |
Your exact timing can also vary by location. Open lawns can cool faster than areas protected by trees or buildings. Foundations and surrounding structures can hold some heat, while exposed areas may reach freezing sooner.
Why Do Pipes Burst When They Freeze?
As water cools, it contracts until it reaches about 39.16°F. Below that point, its structure changes and the water expands as it freezes. The volume can increase by roughly 9% to 11%
The pressure created inside a pipe is what causes much of the damage.
An ice plug can form along the inside of a pipe. If a faucet or valve is closed farther down the line, water may remain between the ice and the closed point. More ice formation then puts pressure on that trapped water.
The pipe does not necessarily burst at the frozen section. The rupture can occur at a weaker section farther down the line, where the water is still liquid. Even copper, PEX, PVC, and galvanized steel pipes can fail at bends, joints, seams, and other weak spots.
A crack can also stay hidden while the pipe remains frozen. Once temperatures rise and the ice melts, pressurized water can leak through the damaged section.
Cold drafts create another problem. Cold air from cracks, loose windows, dryer vents, and other openings can make parts of a pipe much colder than the air around it.That can increase the risk of pipe freezing.
6 Steps to Protect Indoor Pipes
You can start preparing your pipes for winter in areas where they are exposed to cold air.
1. Keep the Thermostat at 55°F or Higher
Set your thermostat to at least 55°F, even when nobody is home. Do not shut off the furnace during a cold spell, and avoid lowering the temperature significantly overnight.
A steady indoor temperature helps keep colder parts of the house from reaching freezing temperatures. This is especially important for plumbing near exterior walls, basements, crawl spaces, and other areas with limited heat.
2. Open Cabinets Under Sinks
Open the cabinet doors beneath kitchen and bathroom sinks when freezing weather arrives. This simple step helps warm air reach pipes that run along exterior walls.
This simple step helps warmer room air reach pipes that run along exterior walls. It is particularly useful during a prolonged freeze when those areas can become much colder than the main living space.
3. Seal Places Where Cold Air Gets In
Check gaps in your foundation and basement that let outside air into the house.
Check these areas:
- Foundation sills
- Basement windows
- Dryer vents
- Electrical penetrations through exterior walls
- Other visible openings around the foundation
Exterior-grade silicone caulk or expanding polyurethane foam can be used to seal suitable gaps. The goal is to keep cold outdoor air from blowing directly onto nearby plumbing.
4. Insulate Exposed Pipes
Check for water pipes in cold or poorly heated areas, such as:
- Unheated basements
- Attics
- Garages
- Crawl spaces
Pre-formed polyethylene or elastomeric foam sleeves can provide insulation around exposed water lines. Use duct tape on the insulation joints where needed.
Keep the insulation dry because wet insulation does not protect pipes as well from freezing.
5. Consider UL-Listed Heat Tape
Some pipes in particularly cold areas may need more protection than insulation alone.
Self-regulating heat tape can be used on high-risk plumbing before foam insulation is installed. Choose a product certified by an independent testing organization such as UL and follow its installation instructions carefully
6. Let an Exposed Faucet Drip During Extreme Cold
During a severe freeze or sub-zero cold wave, a slow faucet drip can help keep water moving through a cold pipe and reduce pressure if an ice blockage starts to form.
The City of Naperville also recommends dripping water from faucets served by exposed pipes during freezing conditions. However, the city notes that running water can still freeze during sub-zero temperatures, so a faucet drip should not replace insulation, heat, or other protection.
Find Your Main Water Shut-Off Before Winter
It is much easier to manage a frozen pipe when you know exactly where the main shut-off valve is.
If a pipe breaks, shutting off the home’s water supply quickly can limit the amount of water released into the house.
The valve is often found in one of these places:
Home type | Places to check |
Basement or crawl space | Front foundation wall near the water meter and where the service pipe enters |
Slab-on-grade home | Attached garage, utility room, water heater closet, or access panel |
Older home | Occasionally beneath the main kitchen sink |
Once you find the valve, mark it with bright tape or a tag that says MAIN WATER SHUTOFF. Turn the valve once or twice a year to make sure it moves without sticking.
Do Not Forget Outdoor Spigots
You should prepare outdoor plumbing before the first freeze.
Disconnect Garden Hoses
Remove every garden hose from its outdoor spigot. Drain the hose and store it indoors or in another protected location.
A hose left attached can trap water inside the spigot. That trapped water can freeze and cause damage to the plumbing behind the exterior wall.
Even freeze-proof spigots need proper drainage. For a standard outdoor spigot, close the interior shut-off valve and open the outside faucet fully so the remaining water can drain.
Prepare Your Lawn Irrigation System
Underground sprinkler lines can hold water in low spots. That water can freeze and damage pipes, sprinkler heads, and other components.
A compressed-air blowout can remove water from the irrigation lines before the ground freezes. This procedure needs care because excessive air pressure can damage the system.
What to Do If a Pipe Freezes
A faucet that produces only a weak trickle or no water during a freeze may indicate a frozen line.
Start by checking exposed plumbing near exterior foundation walls, unheated crawl spaces, and the main service entry.
Open both the hot and cold handles on the affected faucet slightly. This gives water from the thawing section somewhere to go and can reduce pressure inside the line.
Look closely at exposed sections for splits or cracks. Keep the main shut-off valve accessible in case water starts leaking as the ice melts.
Safe Ways to Thaw a Frozen Pipe
Use gentle heat rather than a sudden blast of high heat.
Safe options include:
- Hair dryer: Use medium heat and move it back and forth along the pipe.
- Hot towels: Wrap towels soaked in hot water around the frozen section and replace them as they cool.
- Electric heat source: Keep a portable heat lamp or space heater at least three feet from combustible materials.
Start near the open faucet and gradually work toward the colder section of pipe. This gives the melting water a path to escape.
Never Use an Open Flame
Do not use a propane torch, blowtorch, kerosene heater, or another open-flame device to thaw a frozen pipe.
The concentrated heat can damage the pipe and create a fire hazard. It can also heat trapped water too quickly and create dangerous pressure inside the line.
If the frozen section is behind drywall or otherwise inaccessible, a licensed plumber can handle the thawing safely.
Keep These Naperville Contacts Handy
Winter plumbing problems can happen any time. Save the following numbers before you need them:
- Naperville Department of Public Utilities-Water: (630) 420-6137
- Naperville 24/7 Water & Sewer Emergency Line: (630) 420-6060
- Calumet City Plumbing Co., Inc.: (708) 868-0074
- Backflow Solutions, Inc. (BSI): (888) 966-6050
- Naperville Police Department non-emergency: (630) 420-6666
If a pipe breaks inside your home, shut off the main water supply first if you can do so safely. For a problem that requires plumbing work, Naperville Pipe Relief can connect homeowners with a local plumbing professional who can assess the issue and explain the repair options.
A Simple Winter Pipe Checklist
Before freezing weather arrives, take a few minutes to walk through the house and check each item:
- Set the thermostat to at least 55°F.
- Open cabinets beneath sinks during severe cold.
- Seal foundation and exterior-wall gaps.
- Insulate exposed pipes in cold areas.
- Check whether heat tape is needed in high-risk locations.
- Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses.
- Shut off and drain standard outdoor spigots.
- Winterize the irrigation system before the ground freezes.
- Locate and label the main water shut-off valve.
- Keep the water meter and service-entry area warm and free of drafts.
- Save the Naperville water emergency number.
- Never use an open flame to thaw a frozen pipe.
Wrap Up
It is not necessary to winterize your plumbing only when temperatures fall below freezing. Naperville homeowners should complete the main preparation steps in late September. Once cold weather arrives, regularly check exposed pipes, outdoor plumbing, and colder areas of the home to catch problems early and prevent leaks from frozen pipes.