Florida's plumbing infrastructure is not built for freezing temperatures, and neither are most Florida homeowners' habits when a cold snap arrives. In Naples, Bonita Springs, and the surrounding Collier and Lee County communities, temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit are rare, but they do happen, and when they do, the plumbing damage can be significant.
At A-1 Plumbing & Gas, freeze-related calls spike every time the temperature drops toward freezing in Southwest Florida. Here is what you need to know before the cold arrives.
In colder climates, pipes are insulated, buried deeply below the frost line, and surrounded by building materials designed to hold heat. In Florida, supply lines often run through uninsulated attic spaces, along exterior walls, or in soffits exposed to outdoor air. When temperatures stay below freezing for more than a few hours, those lines are at real risk.
Copper and CPVC pipes are especially vulnerable. They can crack or burst when water inside them freezes and expands, and the resulting damage when the pipe thaws is often far more costly than the cold snap itself.
**Protect exposed exterior fixtures first.** Cover hose bibs (exterior faucets) with insulating covers available at any hardware store. Disconnect and drain garden hoses, a connected hose traps water at the bib and dramatically increases freeze risk.
**Keep water moving.** A slow drip from interior faucets, especially on exterior walls, keeps water circulating and reduces freeze risk. Let hot and cold sides drip from any faucet on an exterior wall.
**Open cabinet doors.** Under-sink cabinets on exterior walls trap cold air. Open them to allow the warmer interior air of the home to circulate around the supply lines.
**Know where your main shutoff is.** If a pipe does burst, shutting off the main water supply immediately minimizes damage. Make sure every adult in the household knows where the shutoff is and how to turn it. If your main shutoff valve does not operate smoothly, now is the time to have it replaced, a failing shutoff valve is useless in an emergency.
Do not use an open flame to thaw a frozen pipe. A hair dryer on low heat, applied from the faucet end back toward the wall, is the safest DIY approach. If the pipe is inaccessible or you are not confident in the location, call a licensed plumber.
If a pipe has already burst, shut off the main water supply immediately and call for emergency service. A-1 Plumbing & Gas provides 24/7 emergency plumbing response across Collier and Lee County.
Once temperatures return to normal, do a full walkthrough of your home. Check under sinks, in the garage, and along exterior walls for any signs of moisture, dripping, or soft drywall. A freeze event often causes slow leaks that are not immediately obvious.
If you suspect a hidden leak from a freeze event, have a licensed plumber pressure-test the lines before the damage compounds.
Need help protecting or repairing your plumbing after a freeze? Call A-1 Plumbing & Gas at (239) 699-3144 for service across Collier and Lee County.