Guide · 3 min read · Updated October 9, 2026
How to Prevent Frozen Pipes (Including in a Mobile Home)
The simple steps that keep pipes from freezing in a house or mobile home, and what to do if one freezes anyway.
The short answer
To prevent frozen pipes, insulate pipes in unheated spaces, disconnect outdoor hoses, open sink cabinets, let a faucet drip during hard cold, and keep the heat steady day and night. If you leave home, the Red Cross says to keep the heat set no lower than 55°F. In a mobile home, also check the heat tape, belly wrap, and skirting before winter.
A burst pipe can turn a cold night into a big repair bill. The good news: most frozen pipes are preventable with a few cheap steps before winter hits.
Why do pipes freeze and burst?
Pipes burst because water expands as it freezes, and that pressure can crack even strong pipes. Consumer Reports says frozen pipes generally happen when it's below 20°F outside, but pipes with no insulation in unheated spaces can freeze sooner.
The pipes most at risk, according to the Red Cross:
Outside: hose bibs, sprinkler lines, pool lines.
Unheated spaces: crawl spaces, attics, garages, basements.
Cold walls: pipes along poorly insulated exterior walls.
Under sinks: cabinets on outside walls.
How do you prevent frozen pipes before winter?
The best time to prevent frozen pipes is fall, before the first hard freeze. Work through the LAND + HOME cold-snap checklist:
- Disconnect, drain, and store outdoor hoses
- Close the indoor valve to each outdoor faucet, then open the outdoor faucet so it drains
- Drain sprinkler lines per the installer's instructions
- Add pipe sleeves or foam insulation to pipes in unheated spaces
- Insulate the crawl space, attic, or basement if it's bare
- Find your main water shutoff and make sure it turns
Knowing your shutoff is the step most people skip. If a pipe does burst, it's the first thing you'll need.
What should you do during a cold snap?
During a cold snap, keep warm air moving around your pipes and water moving through them. The Red Cross recommends:
- Let a faucet drip. A trickle of cold water from a faucet on an exposed pipe keeps water moving.
- Open sink cabinets on outside walls so room heat reaches the pipes. Move cleaners out of kids' reach.
- Keep the garage door closed if water lines run through it.
- Keep the thermostat steady. Same temperature day and night. A higher heating bill costs less than a burst pipe.
- Going away? Leave the heat on, set no lower than 55°F.
How do you prevent frozen pipes in a mobile home?
Mobile homes need extra attention because the water lines usually run under the home, not inside heated walls. Three things protect them:
| Part | What it does | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Heat tape | An electric cable on the water line that warms it | Plugged in, working, no damage |
| Belly wrap | The underbelly cover that holds insulation around the lines | Tears, sagging, wet insulation |
| Skirting | The panels around the base that block wind | Gaps, missing panels, damage |
Heat tape safety. Heat tape can start fires if it's old or installed wrong. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) advises:
- Use a 3-prong plug in a grounded, GFCI-protected outlet.
- Don't wrap the tape over itself unless the maker allows it.
- Put it directly on the pipe, not on top of the insulation.
- Inspect it every year. Replace it if you see charring, discoloration at the plug, cracks, or bare wires.
- Replace uncertified tape that's more than 3 years old with tape certified to UL, CSA, or FMRC standards.
When in doubt, have an electrician check it. For the full mobile home routine, see how to winterize a mobile home.
What do you do if a pipe freezes?
If a faucet only trickles, a pipe may be frozen. Here's what the Red Cross recommends:
- Keep the faucet open. Flowing water helps melt the ice.
- Add gentle heat with a heating pad, hair dryer, space heater kept away from anything flammable, or towels soaked in hot water.
- Never use an open flame. No torches, propane or kerosene heaters, or charcoal stoves.
- Keep going until full water pressure comes back.
- Check other faucets. If one pipe froze, others might have too.
If you can't find or reach the frozen spot, or the pipe has burst, shut off the main water and call a licensed plumber.
The bottom line
Frozen pipes are mostly preventable: insulate, disconnect hoses, drip faucets in hard cold, and keep the heat steady. In a mobile home, check the heat tape, belly wrap, and skirting before winter. Climates and homes vary, so follow your local utility's and plumber's advice for your area.
Common questions
At what temperature do pipes freeze?
Consumer Reports says frozen pipes generally happen when it is below 20°F outside, but uninsulated pipes in unheated spaces can freeze at warmer temperatures.
Should I drip my faucets to keep pipes from freezing?
Yes, in very cold weather. The Red Cross recommends letting cold water drip from faucets served by exposed pipes, because moving water is less likely to freeze.
What temperature should I keep my house to prevent frozen pipes?
Keep the same temperature day and night during a cold snap. If you will be away, the Red Cross says to leave the heat on and set no lower than 55°F.
How do I know if my pipes are frozen?
A faucet that gives only a trickle when you turn it on is a common sign. Frozen spots are often near exterior walls or where the water line enters the home.
Can I use a hair dryer to thaw a frozen pipe?
Yes. The Red Cross lists an electric hair dryer, heating pad, or space heater kept away from anything flammable. Never use an open flame like a torch or propane heater.
When you're ready for the next step
Keep reading
How to Winterize a Mobile Home: A Bottom-Up ChecklistA step-by-step winter checklist for mobile and manufactured homes, from the water lines underneath to the roof, plus what to do if it will sit empty.
Winter Storm and Power Outage Checklist: Before, During, and AfterWhat to do before, during, and after a winter storm or power outage, based on Ready.gov, CDC, CPSC, and FoodSafety.gov guidance.