How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in Wisconsin: A Homeowner’s Winter Checklist

Which pipes are most vulnerable to freezing?

Water lines are more exposed to freezing when they run through cold spaces or along poorly insulated exterior walls. Common locations include garages, crawl spaces, unheated areas, and plumbing beneath sinks on outside walls.

Outdoor faucets and their supply piping also deserve attention before winter.

A useful first step is to think about your home’s layout:

• Where does the water supply enter the building?
• Which rooms or storage areas receive little heat?
• Do any sinks sit against an exterior wall?
• Has a particular pipe or faucet frozen before?

You do not need to open walls or trace every concealed pipe. Start with accessible areas and make a list of concerns to discuss with a professional.

The American Red Cross’s frozen-pipe guidance identifies exposed plumbing and unheated spaces as important places to check.

Your winter plumbing preparation checklist

Use this checklist to organize your preparation. Check off completed tasks and keep a record of questions that still need attention.

Completing the checklist means you have addressed these preparation tasks. It does not guarantee that a pipe cannot freeze or confirm the condition of concealed plumbing.

Seven ways to prepare your plumbing before winter

1. Prepare outdoor faucets before freezing weather

Disconnect and store garden hoses. Have outdoor faucets and their supply lines prepared according to the installation’s requirements.

Some systems have an indoor isolation valve and a draining procedure. Others use different equipment. If you do not know which setup you have, ask a plumber rather than guessing.

Include outdoor plumbing in your preparation even if the faucet worked normally throughout summer.

2. Review plumbing in cold spaces

Look at accessible pipes in garages, basements, crawl spaces, and other areas that receive limited heat. Note nearby drafts and damaged or missing insulation.

The City of Madison recommends insulating water pipes in unheated areas and checking for cold air entering the building.

If the same location freezes repeatedly, describe that history when requesting service. The goal is to understand the exposure and discuss a lasting correction.

3. Maintain heat where water lines are located

Consider the spaces containing plumbing when reviewing your winter heating plan. A comfortable living room does not necessarily tell you the conditions around a pipe in a separate storage area.

Madison’s winter guidance recommends leaving some heat in unused areas. For an absence, ask a professional what heating settings and preparation are appropriate for your home.

Do not assume one thermostat setting guarantees protection for every room, pipe location, and building layout.

4. Give under-sink plumbing attention

During cold spells, opening cabinet doors can allow room heat to reach plumbing near exterior walls.

Move cleaning products and other hazardous items out of children’s and pets’ reach before leaving cabinets open.

Treat this as one protective measure. If the space remains cold or the plumbing has frozen there before, arrange an evaluation.

5. Locate the main water shutoff

Find the valve that controls your home’s incoming water supply and make sure household members know its location.

Keep the route to it accessible. If you cannot identify it, or it appears damaged or difficult to operate, ask for help before an emergency.

Avoid forcing a stuck valve. A plumber can explain the appropriate next step.

6. Ask about recurring cold-weather problems

Make a note of previous freezing incidents, leaks, or rooms that become unusually cold.

Useful information includes:

• Which fixture or area was affected.
• Whether one faucet or the entire home lost water.
• What repairs were completed.
• Whether the problem returned.
• Whether heating problems occurred at the same time.

These details help define the service request without assuming that a particular pipe, fitting, or appliance needs replacement.

7. Prepare before an extended absence

Leaving a property unattended for weeks or months requires more planning than leaving for an afternoon.

Ask a plumber about winterization appropriate to your plumbing and heating systems. Some equipment requires procedures that should not be improvised.

The Village of Johnson Creek recommends professional guidance for properly shutting down and draining a system during an extended absence.

Arrange for someone to check the property when appropriate, and make sure they know whom to contact if the heat fails or a leak appears.

For additional preparation guidance, see the City of Madison’s winter checklist and Johnson Creek’s frozen-pipe guidance.

What are the warning signs of a frozen pipe?

A faucet producing only a trickle during freezing conditions can indicate frozen plumbing. However, reduced flow alone does not establish the cause.

Note whether the change affects one fixture or several. Explain when it began and whether you have noticed visible water or other concerns.

Contact a plumber if you suspect freezing, especially when the affected piping is concealed or inaccessible.

What should you do if a pipe bursts?

Put safety first

Keep people away from water near electrical equipment, outlets, or appliances. Do not enter a flooded area or approach an electrical panel through standing water.

Leave an unsafe area and call emergency services if there is immediate danger.

Stop the water if you can do so safely

Close the main water shutoff if you can reach and operate it safely.

If you cannot stop the water, contact your local water utility’s emergency line for assistance. Use the utility serving your property; emergency numbers from another city may not apply.

Call a plumber directly

An active leak needs prompt attention. Call and explain the situation rather than relying only on a website form.

Be ready to describe:

• Where the water is appearing.
• Whether the main supply has been shut off.
• Whether electricity or access creates a hazard.
• When you first noticed the leak.

Ask about current service availability. For an active leak, see emergency burst-pipe repair and call directly.

Arrange help for affected materials

A plumbing repair addresses the water source. Wet walls, flooring, insulation, and belongings may need separate assessment and cleanup.

Document visible damage from a safe location and contact your insurer if appropriate. Coverage depends on your policy and circumstances.

The Village of Johnson Creek advises shutting off the main water supply and contacting a plumber when interior pipes are believed to be frozen.

When should you call a plumber before winter?

You do not need to wait for a burst pipe to request help.

Consider an evaluation when you have recurring freezing, an unidentified or damaged shutoff valve, uncertain outdoor-faucet preparation, or plumbing exposed to persistent cold.

Tell the team whether you want preventive work or help with a current problem. That distinction makes the request clearer.

For local assistance, explore Gunderson’s plumbing services for Eau Claire.

If unreliable heating is part of your concern, review the Wisconsin Furnace and Boiler Winter Preparation Checklist.

Frequently asked questions