Lincoln Frozen Pipe Prevention Tips for a Stress-Free Winter

Winter in Lincoln, CA isn’t exactly the Arctic tundra—but every year, right when you think you’re safe, that frosty morning hits, and suddenly your pipes start sounding like they’re auditioning for a thriller movie. Frozen pipes aren’t just inconvenient—they’re sneaky, destructive, and expensive. And while the rest of the neighborhood is sipping hot chocolate and pretending they're in a holiday commercial, you could be dealing with burst pipes, water damage, and the emotional meltdown that follows.

Not on our watch.

Executive Plumbing—your third-generation, Lincoln-raised, family-driven plumbing team—is here with real, practical, stress-free winter tips to help you prevent frozen pipes long before they try to ruin your day. Let’s get your home winter-ready, keep your pipes flowing, and save you from January plumbing panic.

Why Frozen Pipes Happen in Lincoln (Yes, Even Here)

You might be thinking: “Come on, this is Lincoln, not Minnesota. Do pipes even freeze here?”
Yes. Yes, they do. And they do it with enthusiasm.

Here’s what’s going on:

• Overnight temps can drop into pipe-freezing territory.

• Exterior walls and crawl spaces are often uninsulated or under-insulated.

• Hose bibs and exposed pipes get hit first when cold snaps roll through.

• Vacation homes and older homes in Lincoln are especially vulnerable.

Frozen pipes stop water flow, build pressure, crack, expand, and—if ignored—burst. Burst pipes don’t politely drip… they unleash water like they're trying to fill Folsom Lake by morning.

Call-to-Action: Want help securing exposed pipes before winter hits? Call or text Executive Plumbing at (916) 663-7733 for fast, local service.

Insulate Your Pipes (AKA: Give Them Their Winter Coats)

If your pipes were people, insulation is the cozy jacket they’d beg you for.

Which pipes need insulation the most?

• Pipes in exterior walls

• Garage, attic, and crawlspace plumbing

• Hose bibs

• Pipes under sinks on outside-facing walls

• Water heater supply lines

Use foam pipe sleeves, fiberglass wrap, or heat tape for extreme areas. You don’t need to go overboard, but you do need to give your pipes some winter armor.

Protect Your Hose Bibs—The First Pipes to Freeze

Hose bibs are basically the “first responders” of freezing problems… except they don't respond; they freeze, then crack, and then you discover the disaster in spring when you finally turn them back on.

Simple prevention:

• Disconnect garden hoses

• Use insulated hose bib covers

• Seal air gaps around hose bib plumbing inside the home

If your hose bib is older or has been leaking, we can replace it with a frost-resistant model.

Call-to-Action: Need frost-proof hose bib installation in Lincoln? Text (916) 663-7733 and we’ll winterize it right.

Keep a Trickling Tap on Cold Nights (It’s Not Wasteful—It’s Cheaper Than Repairs)

People always ask:
“Does running the faucet just a tiny bit actually help?”

Yes.
Yes it does.
Yes—it works in Lincoln, too.

Running water freezes slower than still water. A pencil-thin stream from a faucet connected to vulnerable piping is enough to prevent pressure buildup and bursting.

This trick is especially important for:

• Older homes near downtown Lincoln

• Homes with plumbing running through attic or crawlspace

• Bathrooms on exterior walls

• Vacation or part-time homes

And trust us: the very small increase on your water bill is nothing compared to an emergency pipe burst.

Open Cabinets to Let the Warm Air In

On freezing nights, open the cabinets under sinks—especially those on exterior walls.
Let that warm indoor air circulate around exposed plumbing. Your pipes will thank you. Your heating bill won’t even notice.

Seal Drafts and Cold Spots Around Piping

Cold air loves sneaking into:

• Gaps around plumbing penetrations

• Under-sink cutouts

• Crawlspace vents

• Attic access points

• Wall cracks near hose bib supply lines

Use caulk or expanding foam to seal gaps. A little warm air retention goes a long way.

Bonus: your home will feel warmer overall.

Keep Your Home at a Stable Temperature

Many frozen pipe disasters happen because someone tried to “save a few bucks” by letting the house get too cold when they're away.

Winter rule of thumb:

• Never let indoor temps drop below 55°F

• Even if you’re out of town

• Even if the place “doesn’t get that cold”

For Lincoln’s chilly winter mornings, this temp keeps pipes safe without blasting the heater.

Know Where Your Main Water Shutoff Valve Is (This One’s Big)

Your shutoff valve is the “big red button” of plumbing emergencies.

If a pipe freezes and bursts, you’ll want to sprint—not jog—to that valve. Shutting off the water immediately prevents catastrophic damage.

Common locations:

• Near the water meter

• Inside the garage

• On the home’s perimeter wall

• In an access box near the driveway

If you don’t know where yours is… take this as your sign to find it today.

Call-to-Action: Need help locating or testing your shutoff valve? We can show you. Call (916) 663-7733.

What NOT To Do If a Pipe Freezes

This is the part where we save you from dangerous internet advice.

Do not:

• Use a blowtorch

• Use a lighter

• Use a space heater inside a cabinet

• Use boiling water

• Hit the pipe (seriously, don’t)

You know what fixes a frozen pipe?
Controlled, gentle heat and a plumber who knows what they’re doing.

Executive Plumbing uses safe thawing methods that protect the pipe, your home, and your sanity.

When to Call Executive Plumbing for Frozen Pipe Help

Call us immediately if:

• You have no water in part of the home

• You hear hissing or spraying

• You see water leaking near walls or floors

• A pipe feels bulged or cracked

• Your hose bib won’t flow at all

• The water heater won’t fill or sounds like it’s struggling

We offer emergency plumbing service in Lincoln, and we respond fast.

A Quick Winter Checklist for Lincoln Homeowners

Here’s your no-excuses, pocket-sized guide:

• Insulate exposed pipes

• Protect hose bibs

• Disconnect all hoses

• Open cabinets on cold nights

• Let faucets trickle if temps drop

• Seal drafts around plumbing

• Keep indoor temps above 55°F

• Know your shutoff valve

• Call us at the first sign of freezing

Why Lincoln Homeowners Trust Executive Plumbing

We’re not just plumbers. We’re locals. Our family has served Lincoln for three generations—working with builders, homeowners, businesses, schools, and community members. We know this town, its plumbing quirks, its weather patterns, and the exact spots where frozen pipes like to cause trouble.

What we bring:

• Honest diagnostics

• Clean, respectful work

• Residential + commercial expertise

• English + Spanish bilingual service

• Fast response when it matters most

• Deep community roots and a reputation we protect by doing excellent work

Please allow up to 24 hours for a response—we may be out in the field. For urgent issues, call or text (916) 663-7733.

Final Call-to-Action: Keep Winter Calm, Not Chaotic

Frozen pipes don’t care about your plans, your holiday cheer, or your perfectly decorated porch. But with the right prep—and a local plumber who actually cares about the community—you can make sure winter stays quiet, cozy, and completely plumbing-disaster-free.

Call or text Executive Plumbing at (916) 663-7733 for frozen pipe prevention, pipe insulation, leak detection, PRV service, and emergency plumbing in Lincoln, CA.

Winter’s better when your pipes behave. Let’s make sure they do.