Illinois winters are no joke. When temperatures drop below freezing, plumbing problems can occur quickly — especially if pipes are not properly protected.
Frozen pipes are one of the most common winter plumbing emergencies in Elmhurst, and they can cause serious damage.
Here’s how freezing temps affect your plumbing and what you can do to prevent costly repairs.
🔴🪠 Why pipes freeze
When water freezes, it expands. This puts pressure on pipes, especially in basements, crawl spaces, garages, and exterior walls.
🔴🪠 Most at-risk pipes
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Outdoor spigots
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Basement and crawl space lines
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Garage plumbing
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Pipes near exterior walls
🔴🪠 Insulate exposed pipes
Foam pipe insulation is affordable and very effective. This simple step can prevent frozen pipes all winter.
🔴🪠 Disconnect hoses and shut off outdoor water
Leaving hoses connected traps water in the pipe and increases freeze risk.
🔴🪠 Let faucets drip during extreme cold
Moving water is less likely to freeze. A slow drip can prevent pressure buildup.
🔴🪠 Keep indoor temps steady
Even when you travel, keep your heat on. Turning it too low can freeze pipes inside walls.
🔴🪠 Seal drafts and cracks
Cold air sneaking into basements or crawl spaces can quickly freeze pipes.
If a pipe does freeze, never use open flames to thaw it. This is dangerous and can damage pipes.
The best protection is prevention. A winter plumbing check from Aqua Knight Plumbing can identify weak spots before the cold hits hard.
Elmhurst winters don’t forgive plumbing mistakes — but preparation goes a long way.
