Pipe Winterization in Green Bay, WI

Pipe winterization is fall preparation for a Green Bay winter: protecting exposed pipes, draining outside faucets, and closing the gaps cold air uses to reach your plumbing. Doing it before the first deep freeze is far simpler than dealing with a frozen pipe in January. Call and we will connect you with an independent local plumbing professional who serves your area.

What winterization involves

A winterization visit focuses on the places cold air reaches first. Garden hoses are disconnected, outside faucets are drained and shut off, and lawn-irrigation systems are drained. Pipes in crawl spaces, attics, garages, and basements are insulated. Cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations near pipes are sealed, and outside vents are closed. The professional can also check that the thermostat is working properly and advise on keeping it at 55 degrees or higher through the winter, day and night, even when the home is empty.

When to winterize

Before the first deep freeze, while the weather still allows outdoor work — typically in the fall. Green Bay’s January average low is 11.1°F, and cold spells can arrive suddenly, as they did in January 2025 when a cold spell from the 19th to the 22nd brought an extreme cold warning for Northeast Wisconsin. Homes that were winterized before that spell were far better protected than homes that were not.

Signs your home needs winterizing

• You have never had the pipes insulated or the outside faucets drained.
• A pipe froze last winter, or an outdoor faucet leaked in spring.
• You can see bare pipes in a crawl space, attic, or garage.
• You will be away from the home for a long period over winter.

Going away for the winter

If you are leaving the home for the entire winter, the plumbing system should be fully drained and the water shut off. If you are away for a shorter period, keep the heat at 55 degrees or higher and ask a relative or friend to check that the heat is running. frozen pipe repair in the Green Bay area is often the result of a home that was not winterized, and our pipe insulation and freeze protection page covers the insulation side in more detail.

For the full prevention checklist, see our guide to how to prevent frozen pipes in Green Bay. We connect callers across Green Bay, including neighborhoods such as Olde North and Olde Norwood.

Frequently asked questions