Frozen Pipe Prevention: An Asheville Winter Checklist

By Johnmichael Baratta, P1 Master Plumber #35296 • Last updated July 6, 2026

Asheville sits at a higher elevation than most of North Carolina, and that means our winters run colder than the state average and cold snaps arrive fast. When temperatures drop into the low 20s and below, water inside pipes can freeze, expand, and split the pipe - and the flooding usually happens later, when the ice thaws and water pours through the crack. The good news is that frozen pipes are largely preventable. Here is how.

Before Winter: The Prevention Checklist

• Insulate exposed pipes. Foam pipe sleeves on any pipe in a crawlspace, unheated basement, attic, garage, or against an exterior wall are the single most effective step. These are the pipes that freeze first.
• Seal drafts. Cold air finds pipes through gaps around rim joists, crawlspace vents, and where pipes pass through exterior walls. Caulk or foam those gaps so freezing air is not blowing directly on the plumbing.
• Disconnect garden hoses. A hose left connected traps water in the outdoor faucet and the pipe behind it, which then freezes back into the wall. Disconnect and drain hoses, and shut off and drain any interior valve that feeds an outdoor spigot.
• Know your main shutoff. Find the main water shutoff now, and make sure everyone in the house can operate it. If a pipe does burst, shutting the main off in seconds is the difference between a mop-up and a renovation.
• Service outdoor and vulnerable fixtures. Frost-proof hose bibs, well houses, and pump equipment in exposed locations all benefit from a pre-winter check.

During a Hard Freeze

• Let a faucet drip. On the coldest nights, let a faucet served by a vulnerable pipe run at a slow drip. Moving water is far harder to freeze, and an open faucet relieves the pressure that actually bursts a pipe.
• Keep the heat steady. Do not drop the thermostat overnight during a cold snap, and never below 55 degrees if you leave town. Consistent heat keeps the interior warm enough to protect pipes in walls and cabinets.
• Open cabinet doors. Under sinks on exterior walls, open the cabinet so household heat reaches the supply lines.
• Warm the vulnerable spots. A crawlspace or garage with exposed pipes can be kept above freezing during extreme cold; just never use an open flame or leave a space heater unattended.

If a Pipe Freezes But Hasn't Burst

If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out during freezing weather, a pipe is likely frozen but may not have split yet. Act carefully:

• Open the faucet the frozen pipe feeds, so water can flow as the ice melts and pressure has somewhere to go.
• Apply gentle heat starting at the faucet end and working back toward the frozen section - a hair dryer, a warm towel, or a space heater kept a safe distance away. Never use a blowtorch, open flame, or any device with an open flame.
• Watch for a leak as it thaws. If water starts coming out anywhere but the faucet, the pipe has cracked - shut off the main immediately and call us.

If you cannot reach the frozen section, or a pipe has already burst, shut off the main and call for pipe repair. We handle burst and frozen pipes same-day, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.

When a Pipe Bursts

A burst pipe is a genuine emergency. Shut off the main water valve, open a faucet to drain the line, and move valuables away from the water. Then call us. Our same-day emergency plumbing page walks through exactly what to do in the first minutes before help arrives.

Get Your Home Winter-Ready

If you want a professional set of eyes on your home's cold-weather weak points - exposed pipes, outdoor faucets, crawlspace insulation - call us at 828-708-7107, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. A little prevention now is far cheaper than a burst pipe in January.