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Will My Pipes Freeze Tonight? Free Risk Checker

Updated October 31, 2026 · General information, not plumbing or legal advice

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Four questions, about 30 seconds. You get a risk level and what to do tonight.

1. Tonight's forecast low
2. Where are your most exposed pipes?
3. Insulation on those pipes
4. Heat in the house
Safety first. Never thaw a pipe with a torch or any open flame. They are a fire hazard and can release deadly carbon monoxide. Keep electrical cords away from water, and stay out of rooms where water is near outlets, panels or appliances.

How we score it

This is our own simple rule of thumb: colder low, more exposed pipe locations, no insulation and less heat all add points. One anchor is sourced: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension says water pipes have the potential to freeze and burst when the outside temperature reaches 20°F or below. The most vulnerable pipes are those exposed to severe cold, including outdoor hose bibs, water pipes in basements, crawl spaces, attics and garages, and pipes against exterior walls with little or no insulation. Two things the checker cannot see: wind and gaps in walls. The Illinois Extension advice is to seal leaks that let cold air reach where pipes are located.

Protect the pipes before the next cold snap

Pipe sleeves and UL-listed heat cable are the products Red Cross and extension services point to for exposed pipes. Read the label and follow the maker's instructions.

How to choose and use themSee pipe insulation and faucet coversSee UL-listed heat cable
Sources
  1. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Winter Storms: Preventing and Thawing Frozen Pipes
  2. American Red Cross: Preventing & Thawing Frozen Pipes
  3. University of Illinois Extension: Water Pipes