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Pennsylvania winter guide, updated October 2026
How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania winters freeze pipes in basements, crawl spaces, garages and outside walls, and the leak often does not show until the pipe thaws. This guide covers what to do in the fall, during a cold snap, and the morning after.
- Act when forecasts call for below 32°F, especially two days or more
- Keep the meter area above 40°F and the heat at 55°F or higher when away
- Never thaw a pipe with an open flame
Calls answered day and night. Emergency? Shut off your main valve first, then call.
Quick answer
How do I keep my pipes from freezing in a Pennsylvania winter?
Insulate pipes in unheated spaces, disconnect hoses and shut and drain outdoor faucets, seal drafts near pipes and the meter, keep the meter area above 40°F, open sink cabinets, let a faucet on an exposed pipe drip during deep cold, and keep the heat at 55°F or higher if you leave. Philadelphia Water says to act when lows will stay below 32°F.
32°FPhiladelphia Water’s trigger to start freeze prep
40°FKeep the water meter area above this
55°FMinimum thermostat setting when away (Red Cross)
24 to 42 inSoil freeze depth range across PA (Penn State PHRC)
Why pipes freeze in Pennsylvania homes
Water expands as it freezes, and that pressure can split copper, steel or plastic. In Pennsylvania, the pipes at risk are in basements, crawl spaces, garages, attics, under sinks on outside walls, and where the service line enters the foundation.
The American Red Cross lists outdoor hose bibs, pool and sprinkler lines, and pipes in unheated spaces or against poorly insulated outside walls as most at risk. Pennsylvania adds a few local twists.
- Old housing. About a quarter of occupied PA homes were built before 1940 and the median year built is 1964 (PHFA via PA Realtors). Older homes often have uninsulated rim joists and drafty basements.
- Deep frost. Penn State’s PHRC soil freeze depth guide shows design freeze depths of about 24 to 42 inches across the state. Service lines and meter pits near the surface are exposed in long cold spells.
- Rowhouses and end units. Pipes along an exposed side wall or front wall get much colder than shared party walls.
- Vacant and seasonal homes. No heat, no running water, no one noticing.
Western Pennsylvania sees the effects at system scale. In January 2025, the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County asked customers to cut water use after a cold snap, saying it was chasing leaks across about 2,400 miles of lines. The McKeesport system was one of those named, and homes around McKeesport, Greensburg and Murrysville all sit in the same cold western PA weather.
Fall checklist: before the first hard freeze
Most freeze damage is prevented in October and November. Shut off and drain outdoor faucets, insulate exposed pipes, seal drafts, find your shutoff valves, and winterize anything you will not heat.
- Disconnect, drain and store garden hoses.
- Close the indoor shutoff valve that feeds each outdoor faucet, then open the outdoor faucet so leftover water can drain and expand.
- Drain irrigation and pool supply lines following the installer’s directions. Do not add antifreeze unless directed.
- Insulate hot and cold pipes in basements, crawl spaces, garages and under cabinets with foam sleeves. Use UL listed heat tape or cable on pipes that stay cold.
- Seal drafts near pipes and the meter: broken basement windows, gaps at the rim joist, dryer vents.
- Find your main shutoff valve and test that it turns. Philadelphia Water says valves are usually near the meter.
- Winterize any vacant property: drain the plumbing or hire a plumber to do it.
- Make sure the meter area will stay above 40°F.
Steps 1, 2, 4 and 5 come from Philadelphia Water’s frozen pipe guide and the Red Cross, and they apply anywhere in the state.
Outdoor faucets are the most common freeze failure. A cracked hose bib line can stay hidden until you first use the faucet in spring, and then leak inside the wall. If water shows up in the basement in April, see hidden wall leak detection.
During a cold snap: what to do each night
When lows stay below freezing, keep heat steady, let warm air reach the pipes, and keep a little water moving through any pipe that has frozen before. Check the flow at a faucet before bed and in the morning.
| Action | Why | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Start prep when the forecast is below 32°F, especially for 2+ days | Multi-day cold reaches pipes that one cold night does not | Philadelphia Water |
| Keep the thermostat the same day and night | Night setbacks let wall cavities drop | Red Cross |
| Open kitchen and bath sink cabinets | Room heat reaches pipes on outside walls | Red Cross |
| Let cold water drip from faucets on exposed pipes | Moving water is slower to freeze | Red Cross, Philadelphia Water |
| Keep garage doors closed | Lines in garages freeze fast | Red Cross |
| Check faucet flow before bed and after waking | Reduced flow is the first sign of freezing | Philadelphia Water |
| Keep heat at 55°F or higher if you leave | Protects pipes in an empty house | Red Cross |
Keep cleaners out of children’s reach when cabinets are open. And do not forget the meter: Philadelphia Water advises caulking windows near the meter and pipes and keeping that area above 40°F.
Dripping uses some water. When temperatures rise, stop. In 2025 MAWC asked older homes to stop running water constantly once temperatures were back above subzero, because demand was straining the system. Pittsburgh-area towns like Cranberry Township and Butler face the same cold.
If a pipe freezes: how to thaw it safely
Open the faucet, warm the area around the pipe with a hair dryer, heating pad or space heater, and keep going until full pressure returns. Never use a torch or open flame. If you cannot find or reach the frozen section, call a plumber.
1
Check neighbors
If they have no water either, it may be a main break, not your pipe.
2
Open the faucet
Melting water needs somewhere to go.
3
Warm gently
Hair dryer, heating pad, space heater kept clear of anything flammable, or hot towels.
4
Check everything
Look at the pipe and meter for drips once flow returns.
Do
- Keep heating until full pressure returns
- Check other faucets for more frozen spots
- Shut off at the house valve if a pipe splits
- Call your utility if the meter itself is leaking
Do not
- No blowtorch, propane or kerosene heater, or charcoal stove
- Philadelphia Water says not to put direct heat on the pipe
- No antifreeze in pool or sprinkler lines unless directed
- Do not leave a space heater unattended
Philadelphia Water’s FAQ is clear that pipes inside the home are the customer’s responsibility and PWD cannot help when they freeze. A leaking meter is reported at (215) 685-6300.
Who is responsible for frozen pipes and meters, by utility
Pipes inside your home and the service line on your side of the curb stop are yours, frozen or not. Meters vary. Here is what each major Pennsylvania supplier says about the line between your house and the street.
| Utility | Your responsibility | Leak credit after a freeze | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Water | From the main tap to the house, plus inside plumbing | No leak adjustment program published | (215) 685-6300 for meter leaks |
| Pittsburgh Water | Curb stop to building | May reduce bill to 12 month average for unknown leak with proof | 412-255-2423 |
| Pennsylvania American Water | Curb stop to house | No policy found on pages checked | 1-800-565-7292 (24/7 emergencies) |
| Aqua | Curb box to home | Says it offers no leak adjustments in PA | 877-987-2782 |
| Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County | Check with MAWC | Check with MAWC | 724-755-5800 |
Ownership rules from each utility’s pages; see our service line ownership guide for details.
After a freeze: finding the crack you cannot see
A pipe that froze may have split without leaking yet, because ice plugged the crack. The leak starts when it thaws. Check the meter after any hard freeze, even if everything looks dry.
- Once water flows normally, shut off all fixtures.
- Do the EPA two hour meter test: read, wait two hours with no use, read again.
- Walk the basement, crawl space and garage. Look along outside walls, at hose bib lines, and where the service enters.
- Feel ceilings and walls under bathrooms and kitchens for damp or soft spots.
- Check the meter and the pipe on both sides of it for drips.
If the meter moves and you cannot find the drip, book frozen and burst pipe leak detection. Technicians check every freeze crack, including the ones not dripping yet. A meter moving with the house valve closed points to a frozen and cracked service line.
Worked example: a freeze crack you missed for one billing cycle
A small crack leaking 0.1 gallon per minute loses 4,320 gallons in 30 days (0.1 x 60 x 24 x 30). On Pittsburgh Water’s 2026 rates of $28.61 per 1,000 gallons, that is $123.60 (4.32 x $28.61). A split line at 1.5 gallons per minute loses 64,800 gallons, or $1,853.93 (64.8 x $28.61), before damage.
Insurance and documenting freeze damage
If a burst pipe damages your home, photograph everything before cleanup, stop the water, keep receipts, and call your insurer quickly. Ask what your policy covers before permanent repairs.
The PA Insurance Department’s claims guidance says to take photos or video before cleaning up, keep receipts for all money spent, make repairs needed to prevent more damage, and wait for insurer approval on permanent repairs. It also warns about door to door contractors: ask for an HIC number and get the scope and price in writing.
Its homeowners guide says dwelling coverage includes plumbing and heating systems, lists flood and earthquake as common exclusions, and tells you to ask your agent what is covered. The Red Cross note on heating applies here too: keeping heat on is cheaper than a burst pipe repair.
Need help now? Use 24/7 emergency leak detection any hour.
How freeze leak detection works
After a freeze, the technician pressure tests the system, isolates sections, and uses acoustic listening and thermal imaging to find every split, including ones inside walls. You get a written report for the plumber and your insurer.
1
Meter and pressure
Confirm water loss and isolate inside versus outside.
2
Section test
Close valves to test branches one at a time.
3
Pinpoint
Acoustic and thermal tools find splits in walls and ceilings.
4
Report
Every leak point listed with photos for repair and insurance.
Leak Detection Services in Pennsylvania
Slab Leak Detection
Leaks under basement floors and slab additions, pinpointed through the concrete.
Water Service Line Leak Detection
The line from the curb stop or main to your house, traced and pinpointed.
Hidden Wall and Ceiling Leak Detection
Leaks behind plaster, drywall and finished basements, found without demolition.
Frozen and Burst Pipe Leak Detection
Every freeze crack found after a cold snap, including the ones not dripping yet.
Pool and Hot Tub Leak Detection
Lines, skimmers, returns, lights and shells tested so every leak point is found.
Gas Line Leak Detection
Customer-side gas leaks and failed pressure tests located for repair.
Sewer Lateral and Drain Leak Detection
Camera, sonde, smoke and flood testing for cracked laterals and drains.
Shower Pan, Tub and Toilet Leak Detection
Flood and dye testing so the right fixture gets fixed.
Irrigation and Outdoor Line Leak Detection
Zone by zone testing of sprinklers, yard hydrants and outdoor lines.
High Water Bill Leak Investigation
Meter, pressure and fixture testing plus a report for your utility.
Commercial and Multifamily Leak Detection
Risers, shared lines and tenant units traced to the source.
24/7 Emergency Leak Detection
Water through a ceiling or a meter spinning hard, answered any hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what temperature do pipes freeze in Pennsylvania?
Philadelphia Water advises acting when temperatures are forecast below 32°F, especially for two days or more. Pipes in unheated spaces or on outside walls freeze first.
Should I let my faucets drip in Pennsylvania?
During very cold weather, yes, for faucets on exposed pipes or ones that have frozen before. The Red Cross says even a trickle helps. Stop once temperatures rise.
What temperature should I keep my house when away in winter?
The Red Cross recommends no lower than 55°F. For a vacant property, Philadelphia Water advises draining and winterizing the plumbing.
How do I thaw a frozen pipe?
Open the faucet and warm the area with a hair dryer, heating pad, space heater kept clear of flammables, or hot towels until full pressure returns. Never use an open flame.
How do I know if a pipe is frozen?
Reduced flow or only a trickle from a faucet is the first sign, according to Philadelphia Water and the Red Cross. Check faucets on outside walls and near where water enters the house.
Will the water company fix my frozen pipes?
No. Philadelphia Water says pipes inside the home are the customer’s responsibility. Other PA utilities draw the line at the curb stop, and the rest is yours.
Can a frozen pipe crack without leaking?
Yes. Ice can plug the crack until it thaws. Run a meter test after any hard freeze, even if nothing looks wet.
How deep does the ground freeze in Pennsylvania?
Penn State’s PHRC guide shows design soil freeze depths of about 24 to 42 inches across Pennsylvania. Local codes may require more.
Does homeowners insurance cover burst pipes in Pennsylvania?
It depends on your policy. The PA Insurance Department says to ask your insurer what is covered and to document damage with photos before cleanup.
Should I insulate pipes in my basement?
Yes, especially near outside walls, rim joists and windows. Foam sleeves, heat tape or heat cable on exposed pipes are recommended by the Red Cross.
What should I do with outdoor faucets in winter?
Disconnect hoses, close the indoor shutoff for each outdoor faucet, and leave the outside faucet open to drain, as Philadelphia Water and the Red Cross advise.
Hearing Water You Cannot See? Call Now.
A rising water bill, a wet basement wall or a soggy strip of lawn will not fix itself. Call any hour and we will help you find the leak, prove it and keep the repair as small as possible.
Answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Sources
- American Red Cross: Frozen pipes
- Philadelphia Water: All about frozen pipes
- Philadelphia Water: FAQ
- Penn State PHRC: Soil Freeze Depth Guide
- CBS Pittsburgh: MAWC asks customers to conserve water (Jan 2025)
- PA Insurance Department: Natural disaster insurance guide
- PA Insurance Department: Homeowners insurance
- Pittsburgh Water: Leak credit
- Pittsburgh Water: Rates
- Pittsburgh Water: Lead
- Pennsylvania American Water: Lead service FAQs
- Pennsylvania American Water: Lead and drinking water
- Aqua: Leak adjustment request
- Pennsylvania Realtors: PA housing stock aging (PHFA data)
- EPA WaterSense: Fix a Leak Week
Pennsylvania Leak Detection is a leak detection referral service. Calls connect you with an independent local leak detection professional. Figures and utility policies were checked in October 2026 and can change; confirm with your utility.