Seasonal plumbing
How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in the Carolinas
Updated · Written by the SteadWell team
Short answerClose crawl-space vents, disconnect garden hoses, insulate exposed pipes, open cabinet doors on exterior walls, and let a faucet drip on nights that stay well below freezing.
Why it happens here
Homes in the Carolinas are built for mild winters, so pipes often run through vented crawl spaces, exterior walls and attics. A single night in the teens is enough to split an exposed line.
Before a hard freeze
- Close foundation vents and the crawl-space door
- Disconnect hoses and cover outdoor spigots
- Insulate pipes near vents with foam sleeves
- Open sink cabinets on exterior walls
- Let a faucet farthest from the main drip, hot and cold
If a pipe freezes
Open the faucet it feeds and warm the pipe gently with a hair dryer or space heater — never an open flame. If you see a split, shut off the main before the ice thaws, because that's when it starts leaking.
This guide is general information, not a substitute for an on-site assessment. Read our editorial standards.