Insulate exposed pipes in unheated spaces

Why It Matters

Pipes in unheated basements, crawl spaces, and exterior walls can freeze and burst, causing thousands in water damage.

Materials

• Foam pipe sleeves, sized to match your pipe diameter
• Tape (foil tape or the adhesive strip on self-sealing sleeves)

How to Do It

1. Walk through your unheated basement, crawl space, and any areas with exterior walls to locate exposed copper or PEX pipes.
2. Note which pipes run against or near exterior walls, and prioritize those first.
3. Measure the diameter of each pipe so you buy sleeves that fit snugly.
4. Slip a foam sleeve lengthwise over each pipe, starting with the highest-priority exterior-wall runs.
5. Seal every seam and any gaps at joints or elbows with tape so cold air can't reach the pipe surface.

Related Tasks

• Clear sink and shower drain buildup Every 3 months
• Close and reopen the main water shutoff valve Once a year
• Inspect toilets for leaks and worn flappers Once a year
• Run water in unused fixtures and drains Every 3 months
• Shut off and drain exterior hose bibs Once a year