How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in Indianapolis, Carmel & Zionsville (Before Winter Causes Costly Damage)

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in Indianapolis, Carmel & Zionsville (Before Winter Causes Costly Damage) 

Cold Indiana winters can be beautiful… until your plumbing has other plans. 

When temperatures drop below freezing, water inside your pipes can freeze, expand, and put pressure on your plumbing system. If a frozen pipe cracks or bursts, you could be dealing with water damage, emergency repairs, and a big headache—often at the worst possible time. 

At Steg Plumbing, we help homeowners across Indianapolis, Carmel, and Zionsville stay ahead of winter plumbing issues every year. Whether you live in an older Indy neighborhood or a newer home on the north side, frozen pipes can happen fast if your plumbing isn’t protected. 

Below, we’ll walk you through the most common freezing trouble spots, the best prevention tips, and what to do if your pipes freeze. 

Why Frozen Pipes Happen (Even in Newer Homes) 

It’s a common myth that only older houses have freezing pipe problems. The truth is, newer homes can be just as susceptible—sometimes even more than people expect. 

Frozen pipes typically happen when: 

• A pipe is located near an exterior wall 

• Insulation is missing or poorly installed 

• Cold air sneaks in through gaps, vents, or cracks 

• A garage or crawlspace drops below freezing 

• Homeowners travel and lower the thermostat too far 

• Outdoor plumbing isn’t shut down properly 

Even in modern builds, plumbing in certain areas (like garages, unfinished spaces, or exterior-facing walls) can still freeze under the right conditions. We see this often in Carmel and Zionsville, where garages and exterior-wall plumbing lines can be vulnerable during deep-freeze stretches—especially if insulation or airflow isn’t quite right. 

The Most Common Frozen Pipe Problem Areas in Central Indiana Homes 

While frozen pipes can happen anywhere, these are the locations we see most often in winter service calls throughout Indianapolis, Carmel, and Zionsville: 

1) Hose Bibs and Outdoor Faucets 

Outdoor spigots (hose bibs) are one of the most common freeze points because they’re exposed to outside air. If a hose is still attached, it can trap water inside the line and cause freezing. 

2) Faucets on Exterior Walls 

Kitchen sinks, bathrooms, and laundry hookups located on exterior walls can freeze quickly, especially if cabinets block warm indoor air from reaching the pipes. 

3) Garage Plumbing Lines 

Garages often have less insulation and can turn into a deep-freeze overnight. Any plumbing running through the garage—especially near doors or outside walls—is at higher risk. 

4) “Surprise” Freezes in Newer Homes 

Newer homes can freeze due to layout choices (like plumbing running through exterior walls) or minor insulation gaps. The home may look modern and sealed, but it still has vulnerable plumbing zones. 

Top 5 Ways to Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter 

If you want the best chance of avoiding frozen plumbing lines this season, these are the five biggest steps to take before the coldest nights hit. 

1) Know Where Your Main Water Shutoff Is 

This is one of the simplest things you can do—and one of the most important. 

If a pipe bursts, shutting off your main water supply quickly can help prevent major water damage. Many homeowners don’t realize where it is until there’s a problem. 

Quick tip: Locate your shutoff valve now and make sure it turns easily. If it’s stuck or corroded, Steg Plumbing can help. 

Pro move: Label it and make sure everyone in the household knows where it is. 

2) Disconnect Hoses and Protect Outdoor Faucets 

Before the next freeze: 

• Disconnect garden hoses 

• Drain and store hoses indoors 

• Add an insulated faucet cover to each outdoor spigot 

If you leave hoses connected, water can remain trapped inside the faucet and even inside the line leading into your home—creating the perfect environment for freezing. 

This one step can prevent a huge number of winter plumbing emergencies. 

3) Keep Garage Doors Closed (and Warm if Needed) 

Garages are a major freeze danger zone. Even a well-built garage can drop below freezing when overnight temps sink. 

• Keep garage doors closed as much as possible 

• Seal gaps where cold air gets in 

• If you have plumbing in the garage, consider adding pipe insulation or safe supplemental heat 

If your garage includes a utility sink, laundry hookups, or any plumbing lines, those are especially important to protect. This is one of the biggest “hidden risks” we see in homes across the north side, including Carmel and Zionsville. 

If you’re unsure whether pipes run through your garage, a quick plumbing inspection can identify risks before temperatures dip. 

4) Let Faucets Drip During Extreme Cold 

When temperatures drop hard (especially overnight), letting a faucet drip can help prevent freezing by keeping water moving. 

You don’t need a strong stream—just a small, steady drip can relieve pressure and reduce freeze risk. 

Focus on: 

• Faucets on exterior walls 

• Second-floor bathrooms 

• Pipes near drafty spaces 

• Homes with garages and crawlspaces 

Dripping is especially useful during deep-freeze stretches, when wind chills and overnight lows in Indianapolis, Carmel, and Zionsville stay extreme. 

5) Insulate Exposed Pipes 

Any exposed plumbing line is vulnerable, especially in unheated or poorly insulated areas like: 

• Basements 

• Crawlspaces 

• Garages 

• Utility rooms near exterior walls 

• Under sinks (especially exterior-facing) 

Insulating pipes is affordable and can make a major difference. Foam pipe sleeves, fiberglass wrap, and heat tape (installed correctly) can all help. 

If you’ve had frozen pipes before, insulating those exact lines should be top priority. 

Extra Winter Plumbing Tips (Worth Doing If You Can) 

Want to go a step further? These extra tips can help protect your plumbing system all season long: 

• Open cabinet doors under sinks (helps warm air circulate) 

• Keep your thermostat consistent, even when traveling 

• Seal air leaks near plumbing (around vents, sill plates, or crawlspace access) 

• Check drafty rooms and ensure vents are open and heating properly 

Winter pipe protection often comes down to one thing: keeping warm air near your plumbing. 

Emergency Section: What To Do If Your Pipes Are Already Frozen 

If you suspect your pipes are frozen, act fast—because a frozen pipe can burst when it starts to thaw. 

Signs you may have frozen pipes: 

• No water flow from a faucet 

• Weak water pressure 

• Visible frost on a pipe 

• Strange smells from drains 

• You hear unusual cracking or popping sounds 

What you should do immediately: 

1. Turn the faucet on slightly (helps relieve pressure) 

1. Keep the heat on in your home 

1. Warm the area gently using a space heater (safely), warm towels, or a hair dryer 

1. Do NOT use open flames (no torch, no propane heater, no candles near pipes) 

If a pipe bursts: 

• Shut off the main water valve immediately 

• Call a plumber right away 

• If possible, shut off electricity to the affected area if water is near outlets or wiring 

Call Steg Plumbing right away if you suspect frozen or burst pipes. Frozen-pipe situations can go from annoying to expensive very quickly, and fast response can help reduce damage. 

Schedule a Plumbing Inspection Before the Next Freeze 

The best way to prevent winter plumbing emergencies is to catch risk areas before they become a problem. A plumbing inspection can identify exposed pipes, vulnerable outdoor plumbing, and garage lines that need protection—before they freeze. 

If you’re a homeowner in Indianapolis, Carmel, or Zionsville and want confidence before the next cold snap: 

Call Steg Plumbing today to schedule a plumbing inspection.
We’ll help you prevent frozen pipes, protect your home, and stay comfortable all winter long. 

And if you found this helpful, share it with your neighbors and friends—because winter plumbing problems hit fast in Indiana, and a little prep goes a long way.