Homes in the Southern and Western United States tend to be more prone to freezing and water damage than homes in the North. Northern homes regularly deal with Arctic blasts, so builders design them with better insulation.
Because Southern homes sometimes feature less insulation—and the pipes leading to the home aren’t always housed as far below ground—they are at greater risk for water damage.
No matter where you live, these four types of pipes tend to be the most vulnerable to freezing:
- Uninsulated pipes
- Pipes on the exterior of the home
- Pipes located in attics, garages, basements, crawl spaces, or other uninsulated areas
- Copper or galvanized steel pipes
There are other areas in homes that are susceptible to freezing, as well. The connectors and hoses on washing machines, dishwashers, and water heaters are vulnerable to freezing as they can become brittle and break. Sinks and showers also pose potential hazards.
Outside, spigots, sprinkler systems, and swimming pool lines might not be as well insulated as indoor plumbing and could be the first points to collapse during a hard freeze.