Frozen pipes are one of those problems Californians don’t think about until they’re standing in a cold kitchen with no running water. I’ve heard it plenty of times: “We’re in California. Pipes don’t freeze here.”
Well pipes do freeze, even in California. And when they do, the plumbing damage can be sudden and expensive.
During winter storms, especially the ones that bring strong winds and overnight cold, plumbing systems in California homes take a quiet hit. Pipes don’t need weeks of snow to freeze. Sometimes, all it takes is one cold night and even a single pipe that has been neglected or has not been insulated well.
At Albion Plumbing, we have seen frozen pipes in beach towns, inland suburbs, and hillside homes that rarely drop below freezing. The problem isn’t the state. It’s how the houses are built and how people prepare.
Why Pipes Freeze in a State That Stays Mostly Mild
Water freezes at the same temperature everywhere. The difference is expectation.
Many California homes were designed for warm weather. Pipes often run through garages, crawl spaces, attic corners, and exterior walls with very little insulation. These areas cool fast once the sun goes down.
Cold snaps here tend to be sharp and short. A warm afternoon can turn into a freezing night before a homeowner can even begin to think about checking exposed pipes. When water sits still inside a pipe and the temperature drops, ice forms. Ice expands. Pressure builds. The pipe holds until it can’t, and it bursts.
Wind makes it worse. During storms, moving air pulls warmth away from pipes much faster than still air. Homes near open land or water feel this most.
But the biggest issue isn’t the weather. It’s the surprise, or the shock, that follows damaged pipes. People don’t protect what they don’t expect to fail.
Homes That Freeze Pipes More Often Than Others
The good news is that not all houses face the same risk.
Older homes with aging plumbing top the list. Many of these were built before insulation rules were common. Pipes run close to outside walls with little separation from cold air.
Raised foundations cause problems too. Crawl spaces allow cold air to move under the house for hours. Without insulation under the floor, pipes stay cold all night.
Garages are another trouble spot. Water lines often pass through them, and garages rarely stay warm. Leaving the door cracked during a storm is enough to freeze a pipe inside the wall.
Empty homes face added risk. When no one runs water, pipes stay full and still. That’s when freezing accelerates.
At Albion Plumbing, our experts have also seen frozen pipes under kitchen sinks where cabinet doors stayed closed against an exterior wall. The rest of the house was warm. The pipe wasn’t.
Small Steps That Prevent Most Frozen Pipe Damage
You don’t need major upgrades to lower your risk.
Insulating exposed pipes is one of the simplest steps. Foam sleeves are cheap and easy to install. Focus on pipes in garages, crawl spaces, attics, and along exterior walls.
Seal gaps where cold air enters. Look around vents, foundation openings, and door frames. Cold air moves fast and finds weak spots quickly during storms.
On cold nights, let one or two faucets drip slightly. Moving water helps relieve pressure and slows freezing. This matters most on sinks tied to outside walls.
Open cabinet doors under sinks before going to bed when a storm is expected. It sounds small, but warm air reaching the pipes helps more than people think.
If you leave town for a short trip, you might want to keep the heat on. Turning it off saves money until a pipe breaks and floods the house. That math never works out in the homeowner’s favor.
Outside faucets matter too because they are exposed. Disconnect hoses and cover exposed spigots before storms arrive.
Most frozen pipe calls can be avoided with these steps.
Signs a Pipe Is Freezing or Already Frozen
Frozen pipes don’t always announce themselves clearly. Low water pressure from one faucet is a common warning. If one sink slows while others work fine, ice may be blocking part of the line.
Frost on exposed pipes is another red flag. If you see ice or heavy condensation, don’t ignore it.
Strange smells can also show up. Ice can block normal airflow in drain lines, pushing odors back into the house.
If a faucet stops running during cold weather, assume freezing until proven otherwise.
Early action makes a real difference.
What to Do If a Pipe Is Frozen
First, do not panic. Shut off the water supply to that line if possible. This limits damage if the pipe cracks once the ice melts.
Open the affected faucet. This gives melting water a place to go and lowers pressure. Apply gentle heat to the pipe. A hair dryer works well. Warm towels help. Start near the faucet and work slowly toward the frozen area.
Stay with the pipe while it thaws. Many pipes break during thawing, not freezing. If the frozen section is inside a wall or you can’t reach it safely, it’s time to stop and call a plumber.
What Not to Do When a Pipe Freezes
Never use an open flame. Torches, candles, and lighters damage pipes and start fires.
Don’t rush heat onto one small spot. Sudden temperature changes stress metal and plastic pipes.
Avoid cutting into walls unless you know exactly where the freeze is. Guessing leads to bigger repairs.
And don’t wait it out. Ice holds pressure until it releases, often all at once.
Why Storms Make This Worse in California
California storms bring wind, rain, and cold together. Wet insulation loses warmth. Power outages shut off the heat. Wind pulls warmth away from pipes faster than expected.
Many burst pipes happen the morning after a storm, when ice thaws and pressure releases. That’s when ceilings stain, cabinets swell, and floors warp.
A Pattern Seen Over and Over
At Albion Plumbing, we’ve seen many homes where a single frozen pipe caused weeks of repair work. In almost every case, the owner said the same thing: “I didn’t think this could happen here.”
But frozen pipes aren’t about panic. They’re about paying attention during cold nights and storms. Homes that do this usually come through just fine.