Pipe Freeze Risk Checker

How the risk level is set

We look at two things. The first is the average January low where you live, taken from ten years of daily weather. The second is where the pipes run. Pipes in an attic, a crawl space or a garage lose heat faster than pipes in a heated inside wall, and pipes on an outside wall or an outdoor spigot are the most exposed.

Each one adds points. A low score reads as low risk. Higher scores read as moderate, high or severe.

What the result means

Raleigh’s average January low is 31°F, which adds one point to the climate part of the score. Pipes inside heated walls, or in a crawl space, garage or attic, then read moderate, while pipes on an exterior wall or an outdoor spigot read high.

An average is a typical figure and not a forecast. A single cold night can be colder than the January average, so the steps in the result are worth doing once and leaving in place.

What helps before a freeze

Know where the main water shut-off valve is. Drain and disconnect garden hoses and cover outdoor spigots before the first freeze. Insulate pipes in unheated spaces. On a freezing night, a slight drip at a faucet and open cabinet doors on outside walls help. If you will be away, keep the heat on or have the plumbing drained. A plumber can look at any run you are unsure about.