Tuesdays Tips-Do Not Let Winter Burst Your Bubble

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 Welcome to another Tuesday's Tip! We are right in the thick of a classic Southeastern Wisconsin February. While the frozen lakes look beautiful, the last thing you want is for that same ice to form inside your home's plumbing.

A single burst pipe can be a $10,000 to $15,000 disaster once you factor in the plumbing repairs, water damage restoration, and the potential for mold. In fact, when water freezes, it can exert up to 40,000 pounds of pressure per square inch—enough to snap a copper pipe like a twig.

Here is your 2026 game plan to keep your pipes flowing and your budget intact.

1. The "Drip" Defense

When the temperature drops into the single digits (or below zero), the best thing you can do is keep the water moving.

  • The Trick: Turn on a faucet—ideally one located on an exterior wall—to a very slow drip.

  • The Why: It isn’t just about the movement; it’s about relieving the pressure. Even if the pipe starts to freeze, that open faucet gives the pressure a place to escape, preventing the pipe from actually bursting.

2. Open the "Cabinet Gates"

In many of our older homes in West Allis or Cudahy, the kitchen or bathroom pipes are tucked away in dark, unheated cabinets against cold exterior walls.

  • The Action: Open your cabinet doors under the sinks.

  • The Result: This simple move allows the warm air from your home to circulate around the pipes. It might look a little cluttered for a day or two, but it’s a lot prettier than a flooded kitchen!

3. The 55-Degree Rule

If you’re heading out of town for a winter getaway, it’s tempting to turn the heat way down to save on those 2026 energy bills.

  • The Limit: Never set your thermostat lower than 55°F.

  • Pro Tip: If you have a basement or crawl space with exposed pipes, make sure those areas are staying well above freezing too. A "smart" Wi-Fi thermostat is a great investment this year so you can monitor your home's temp from your phone while you're on vacation.

4. Disconnect the Hoses (Last Call!)

If you still have a garden hose attached to your outdoor spigot, go out and pull it off right now.

  • The Danger: A connected hose traps water in the faucet's "stem." When that water freezes and expands, it can burst the pipe inside your wall, and you won't even know it until you turn the water on in the spring.

What to do if a Pipe Freezes

If you turn on the faucet and only get a trickle (or nothing at all), don't panic, but act fast:

  1. Keep the faucet open.

  2. Apply heat gently. Use a hair dryer or a heating pad wrapped around the pipe.

  3. NEVER use an open flame. Blowtorches are a fire hazard and can damage your pipes even further.

  4. Know your main shut-off. If the pipe has already burst, you need to know exactly where your main water valve is to stop the flooding immediately.

The Bottom Line: A little bit of prevention goes a long way. Spending five minutes opening cabinets and setting a drip can save you from a "burst bubble" and a massive repair bill this winter.

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