Seasonal Checklist: Protect Your Water Lines from Freezing

Even in Upstate South Carolina, cold snaps can be rough on plumbing, especially when temps dip near the 20°F mark and uninsulated lines are exposed to wind. Frozen pipes in Greer mean no water, possible bursts, and costly repairs. Use this Greer-specific checklist to winterize your home, know what to do before a hard freeze, and handle emergencies the right way. When you want a pro set of eyes, KT Plumbing can walk your property, point out vulnerabilities, and get you freeze-ready.

Greer, SC Freeze Risk at a Glance

Greer sees occasional hard freezes each winter, often after rain and wind that drive cold air into crawl spaces and garages. Homes with vented crawl spaces, exterior wall plumbing, or older hose bibs are more vulnerable. Pipes freeze when cold air reaches them and water isn’t moving—so insulation, air sealing, and strategic dripping all reduce risk.

Pre-Season Checklist (September–November)

Insulate & seal. Add foam insulation to supply lines in crawl spaces, garages, and attics; pay special attention to pipes near foundation vents or rim joists. Seal air leaks around hose bib penetrations, sill plates, and crawl doors to stop wind from reaching pipes.
Exterior water prep. Disconnect garden hoses, shut off and drain outdoor faucets at the interior valve, and winterize irrigation/backflow assemblies. Consider upgrading to frost-proof sillcocks.
System readiness. Find and label the main shutoff so everyone in the home can use it. Test it gently. Add smart leak sensors near water heaters, laundry, and under sinks; set up a Wi-Fi thermostat for freeze alerts.
Schedule a pro check. Book KT Plumbing for a pre-season walkthrough to spot exposed runs, verify pressure-reducing valve (PRV) settings, recommend valve upgrades (reliable ball valves), and suggest targeted insulation.

24–48 Hours Before a Hard Freeze

Keep warmth moving. Maintain steady indoor heat (don’t set below ~55°F), open kitchen and vanity doors on exterior walls, and keep interior doors open to improve airflow.
Drip the right faucets. Let hot and cold trickle at sinks on exterior walls or in unheated areas. Dripping keeps water moving and reduces freeze risk. (Do not drip outdoor spigots—those should be shut and drained.)
Protect cold zones. Close garage doors. Temporarily cover crawl-space vents and ensure access panels are snug. Where allowed and appropriate, use UL-listed heat cable on problem spots per manufacturer instructions.

Leaving Town?

Set the thermostat to ~55°F minimum. For multi-day absences, consider shutting the main water valve and opening a low-level faucet to relieve pressure; drain exterior lines fully. Ask a neighbor to check the house, and use smart leak sensors to get alerts. Put the water heater in vacation mode if equipped.

Outdoors & Outbuildings

Install insulated covers on hose bibs and insulate any water lines serving detached garages or workshops. If you’re renovating, have KT Plumbing run those lines inside conditioned space where possible, or protect them with insulation/approved heat cable.

If a Pipe Freezes — What to do (and not do)

Open the affected faucet to relieve pressure. Warm the pipe gradually using a hair dryer, heating pad, or warm towels, starting near the faucet and moving toward the cold area. Keep the area supervised and dry. Never use an open flame or unapproved heaters on piping or near combustibles.

Suspected Burst or Hidden Leak

Shut off the main water valve immediately. Kill power to nearby circuits if water is close to outlets or appliances. Move belongings out of harm’s way and call KT Plumbing for emergency service. We’ll locate the break, make safe repairs, and can provide documentation for insurance if needed.

Long-Term Upgrades That Pay Off in Greer Homes

• Reroute vulnerable runs away from exterior walls or unheated crawl zones.
• Add recirculation on long hot-water branches to keep water moving in cold pockets.
• Install smart leak detection with auto-shutoff on the main.
• Replace sticky gate valves with quarter-turn ball valves for fast shutoff in emergencies.
• Verify house pressure with a healthy PRV—excess pressure worsens damage when failures occur.

Why Greer homeowners choose KT Plumbing

Local Greer plumbing pros who understand Upstate freeze patterns, clean and tidy workmanship, and clear, written estimates. We coordinate with local utilities when needed, prioritize freeze-related calls during cold snaps, and offer straightforward solutions that balance prevention, comfort, and budget.

Don’t wait for the first hard freeze. Schedule a pre-season inspection with KT Plumbing. We’ll identify risk points, tighten up insulation and sealing, and set you up with the right upgrades so your water keeps flowing no matter what Greer’s winter throws your way.