City recommendations
What the City of Naperville Recommends
The City’s freezing water lines page lists several prevention tips. In summary, the City suggests you:
- Seal cracks in doors, windows and foundations.
- Open cabinets and closets that contain water lines so warm air reaches the plumbing.
- Let cold water drip from a faucet.
- Insulate pipes with insulation sold at local building supply stores.
- Use heat tape only if it has a UL seal of approval.
- Check pipe insulation periodically, since wet insulation can be worse than none.
- Turn off outside spigots and disconnect garden hoses.
- Hire a licensed plumber to inspect if you suspect your plumbing isn’t adequately protected.
Drafts matter
Why Small Drafts Matter
The City warns that small openings concentrate cold air. In its words, this creates “a cold blow torch that can quickly freeze pipes.”
A pipe in a warm room can still freeze near a draft.
Look for gaps where pipes pass through exterior walls, sill plates and crawlspace vents. Gaps around dryer vents and utility penetrations are worth checking too.
Find vulnerable pipes
Find Your Vulnerable Pipes
Some pipes face more cold than others. Start your winter prep by locating them.
- Pipes along exterior walls, especially in kitchens and bathrooms
- Lines in garages, crawlspaces and unheated basements
- Pipes in attics or above unheated spaces
- Supply lines inside sink cabinets on outside walls
- Outdoor spigots and the pipe running to them
- Any pipe near a known draft or foundation crack
Fall checklist
Fall Prevention Checklist
Work through this list before the first hard freeze.
- Locate your main water shutoff and make sure it turns.
- Disconnect garden hoses and turn off outside spigots.
- Seal visible cracks near pipes in walls and foundations.
- Add or repair insulation on exposed pipes.
- Inspect existing insulation and replace any that is wet or damaged.
- If you use heat tape, confirm it carries a UL seal and follow its instructions.
- Keep garage doors closed when water lines run through the garage.
- Note which faucets serve exterior-wall plumbing for drip duty later.
Cold snaps
During a Cold Snap
When temperatures drop sharply, shift to active protection.
- Open sink cabinets on exterior walls so warm air can circulate.
- Open closets that contain water lines.
- Let a faucet on a vulnerable line drip cold water.
- Keep your thermostat steady, including overnight.
The City notes that even running water can freeze in sub-zero temperatures. Dripping helps, but it doesn’t make a pipe freeze-proof.
Leaving home
Leaving Home in Winter
An empty house can’t respond to a frozen or burst pipe. Plan ahead before you travel.
- Keep the heat on at a steady setting.
- Ask someone to check the house during long absences.
- Show that person where the main shutoff is.
- Consider shutting off the main water supply if the home will be empty for a long time.
After a cold snap
After a Cold Snap Passes
Freeze damage doesn’t always show up right away. A pipe can crack while frozen and only leak once it thaws.
- Check exposed pipes in the basement, garage and crawlspace for wet spots.
- Look under sinks on exterior walls for drips or swelling cabinet floors.
- Test outdoor spigots in spring and watch inside for leaks behind the wall.
- Watch your next water bill for unexplained use.
A water meter leak check can confirm whether water is escaping out of sight.
Frozen signs
Signs a Pipe May Be Frozen
Catching a freeze early gives you more options.
- A faucet runs slowly or not at all in cold weather.
- Only one fixture is affected while others work.
- Frost appears on an exposed pipe.
- A pipe runs along a cold exterior wall near the affected fixture.
Safe vs unsafe thawing
Safe vs. Unsafe Thawing
These are general safety practices, not instructions from the City page. If you’re unsure, stop and call a plumber.
| Approach | Safe or unsafe | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Open the faucet on the frozen line | Safe | Lets water and pressure escape as ice melts |
| Warm the room with the home’s normal heating | Safe | Raises temperature gradually |
| Apply gentle heat from a hair dryer, kept moving | Use caution | Keep it dry and away from standing water |
| Wrap the pipe in warm towels | Safe | Gentle, low-risk heat |
| Use a torch or any open flame | Unsafe | Fire risk and possible pipe damage |
| Use electrical devices near standing water | Unsafe | Shock hazard |
| Leave a space heater unattended near pipes | Unsafe | Fire risk |
| Heat a pipe that is already split or leaking | Unsafe | Can release a sudden flood |
If a pipe froze
If You Suspect a Pipe Is Frozen
Act calmly and watch for leaks as it thaws.
- Open the faucet that the frozen pipe serves.
- Locate the main shutoff in case a split appears.
- Check the pipe for cracks, bulges or wet spots.
- Apply only gentle, safe heat if the pipe looks intact.
- Shut off the main water right away if water starts spraying or dripping.
If a pipe has split, follow our steps for what to do when a water pipe bursts.
Professional help
When to Get Professional Help
The City suggests hiring a licensed plumber to inspect plumbing you suspect isn’t adequately protected. That advice applies before a freeze and after one.
Call for help if a pipe is frozen in a wall or ceiling, if you can’t find the freeze, or if a split appears. Our page on frozen and burst pipe repair explains how damaged pipes are evaluated.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does dripping a faucet guarantee my pipes won’t freeze?
No. The City notes that even running water can freeze in sub-zero temperatures. Dripping lowers the risk but works best alongside insulation and draft sealing.
Is heat tape safe to use?
The City advises using heat tape only if it has a UL seal of approval. Follow the product’s instructions closely.
Why replace insulation that’s already on the pipe?
The City notes that wet insulation can be worse than no insulation. Check it periodically and replace it if it’s damp or damaged.
Where can I find more winter and leak guides?
Browse all water leak guides for meter checks, hidden leak signs and burst pipe first steps.