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How to Prevent Frozen Pipes — Des Plaines, Illinois

Complete checklist with climate-adjusted recommendations for Des Plaines, Illinois

Overview

Keep cabinet doors open under sinks on exterior walls, let faucets drip during extreme cold, and take other precautions to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.

DIY FriendlyEasy~30 min
Des Plaines note: Open cabinet doors and drip faucets when temps drop below 20 degrees F. Insulate all pipes in unheated spaces before winter. Check crawl space vents and close them or cover them for the season.

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Identify vulnerable pipes

Pipes most at risk are those in exterior walls, unheated garages, crawl spaces, attics, and under kitchen or bathroom sinks on outside walls. Trace your plumbing to understand which pipes are exposed to cold. Check your home's blueprint or follow pipes visually from the water heater outward.

2

Open cabinet doors under sinks

When temperatures drop below 20 degrees F, open the cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks that are on exterior walls. This allows warm indoor air to circulate around the pipes. Remove any cleaning products or chemicals if children or pets are present.

3

Let faucets drip during extreme cold

Turn on both hot and cold faucets served by exposed pipes to a slow, steady drip. Moving water freezes at a lower temperature than standing water. Even a pencil-thin stream can prevent freezing. This is especially important overnight when temperatures bottom out.

4

Keep interior temperature consistent

Set your thermostat to at least 55 degrees F at all times, even at night or when you are away. Resist the temptation to lower the heat significantly at night -- a frozen pipe repair costs far more than the heating bill difference. If traveling, never turn off the heat entirely.

5

Insulate exposed pipes

Install foam pipe insulation sleeves on all exposed pipes in unheated areas. Pay special attention to pipes in the crawl space, attic, and garage. For pipes that have frozen before, add thermostatically controlled heat tape beneath the insulation.

6

Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses

Before the first freeze, disconnect all garden hoses from outdoor faucets. Shut off the interior valve that supplies the outdoor faucet (if your home has one), then open the outdoor faucet to drain remaining water. Leave the outdoor faucet open all winter.

7

Seal gaps and cracks near pipes

Inspect where pipes enter the house through exterior walls and seal any gaps with expanding foam or caulk. Even small holes can let in enough cold air to freeze a pipe. Check around electrical and cable entries as well.

8

Know how to shut off your water in an emergency

Locate your main water shut-off valve and make sure it works. If a pipe bursts, shutting off the water immediately limits damage. Tag the valve with a label so any household member can find it quickly.

What You'll Need

Tools

  • - Flashlight
  • - Caulk gun
  • - Adjustable wrench (for hose connections)

Materials

  • - Foam pipe insulation sleeves
  • - Expanding foam sealant
  • - Heat tape (for high-risk pipes)
  • - Foil tape

Cost Estimates

DIY Cost

$10 - $50

Professional Cost

$150 - $500 (preventive measures); $1,000 - $5,000+ (burst pipe repair)

Safety Tips

  • Never use an open flame (torch, candle, or space heater with exposed element) to thaw frozen pipes -- this is a serious fire hazard.
  • If you find a frozen pipe, use a hair dryer, heat lamp, or warm towels to thaw it slowly.
  • Keep a fire extinguisher accessible if you use any electric heat source near pipes.
  • Know the location of your main water shut-off valve before an emergency happens.

When to Call a Professional

Call a plumber immediately if a pipe has already burst or if you cannot locate or thaw a frozen pipe. A plumber can also relocate chronically freezing pipes to interior walls or install recirculating systems for long-term prevention.

Pro Tip

If you are going on vacation during winter, ask a neighbor or friend to check your house daily. Alternatively, install a smart water leak sensor and a Wi-Fi thermostat so you can monitor temperatures remotely.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Lowering the thermostat too much at night to save on heating -- the savings are wiped out by one burst pipe.
  • Forgetting to disconnect garden hoses before the first freeze.
  • Only insulating cold water pipes -- hot water pipes freeze too when the heater is off.
  • Closing off rooms without adjusting heat -- pipes in unheated rooms freeze quickly.
  • Assuming your pipes are safe because they didn't freeze last year -- colder winters or changed insulation can shift the risk.

Local Plumbers in Des Plaines

ProPortal

C R Leonard Plumbing & Heating

Joliet, IL

(815) 744-0791
0

Suburban Plumbing Sewer Line and Drain Cleaning Experts

Joliet, IL

(708) 729-9249
0

A1 Absolute Plumbing

Joliet, IL

(708) 301-9259
0

Owens Family Plumbing, Boilers & Heating

Joliet, IL

(815) 641-7392
0

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Des Plaines Housing Market

Median Home Price

$331,000

Homes for Sale

55

Price per Sq Ft

$242

Local Pros

581

Home Service Professionals Near Des Plaines

lender 83multimedia_specialist 81Landscapers 80Painters 75Inspectors 68Cleaners 66Electricians 65Roofers 63

Median Household Income

$94,303

Median Home Value

$318,200

Median Rent

$1,435/mo

Homeownership Rate

79.4%

Population

59,408

Median Year Built

1966

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates

Fair Market Rents — Des Plaines

Studio

$1,480/mo

1 Bedroom

$1,581/mo

2 Bedroom

$1,781/mo

3 Bedroom

$2,294/mo

4 Bedroom

$2,653/mo

Source: HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents — Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL HUD Metro FMR Area

This Task Appears On

Winter Home Maintenance Checklist

Related How-To Guides

How to Insulate Exposed Pipes

Add foam insulation sleeves to pipes in crawl spaces, garages, and attics to prevent freezing, reduce condensation, and improve energy efficiency.

How to Stock Emergency Supplies

Prepare for power outages and severe weather with flashlights, batteries, water, blankets, non-perishable food, and a battery-powered radio. A well-stocked kit gives your household peace of mind.

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