Seasonal PreparednessPlumbing

How Can Cherry Hill, NJ Homeowners Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter?

November 05, 2026
Image: How Can Cherry Hill, NJ Homeowners Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter?

Is your Cherry Hill home ready for freezing temperatures?

Cold New Jersey weather can create problems for plumbing, particularly pipes located in basements, crawl spaces, garages, exterior walls and other areas that do not receive much heat. New Jersey American Water specifically recommends checking these areas before freezing weather arrives.

For homeowners in Cherry Hill, NJ, preparing your plumbing before the first sustained cold stretch can help reduce the risk of frozen pipes, water damage and an unexpected plumbing emergency.
Here are the questions to ask before winter sets in.

1. Which pipes in my Cherry Hill home are most likely to freeze?

Start with plumbing that is exposed to colder temperatures.
• Check pipes located in:
• Basements and crawl spaces
• Garages
• Unheated rooms
• Exterior walls
• Cabinets against outside walls
• Areas where cold air enters around doors, windows or utility openings

If part of your home tends to feel noticeably colder during winter, the plumbing in that area deserves extra attention.

2. Should I disconnect my garden hoses before winter?

Yes. Disconnect garden hoses before freezing weather arrives.

Water left inside an attached hose or outdoor faucet can freeze. A simple fall plumbing checklist should include:
• Disconnect garden hoses.
• Drain remaining water.
• Shut off the interior supply to the outdoor faucet when your plumbing configuration allows it.
• Check the faucet and nearby piping for leaks or damage.
• Consider insulating exposed piping.

This is particularly worth doing now, while homeowners are putting away hoses and outdoor equipment for the season.

3. Should exposed pipes be insulated?

If water lines run through a cold portion of your home, pipe insulation can provide additional protection.

We recommend insulating exposed pipes and eliminating sources of cold air near water lines.

Pay particular attention to pipes near:
• Foundation openings
• Exterior walls
• Basement windows
• Crawl spaces
• Garages
• Outdoor plumbing connections

Check out this blog on electric pipe heating solutions, here. 

4. What should I do when temperatures stay below freezing?

If particularly cold weather is forecast, don't wait until a faucet stops working.

Our plumbers recommend opening cabinet or vanity doors where vulnerable plumbing is located so that warmer household air can reach the pipes. For plumbing especially vulnerable to freezing, allowing a small trickle of water to run can also help.

You should also avoid drastically lowering your home's temperature if you'll be away.

5. How do I know if a pipe may be frozen?

One of the most obvious signs is a faucet that suddenly produces very little water or no water during freezing weather.

Other warning signs can include:
• An unexpected loss of water pressure
• Visible frost on accessible piping
• Unusual sounds when opening a faucet
• Water appearing where it shouldn't
• A pipe that appears cracked or damaged

Don't ignore a sudden plumbing change during a cold snap.

6. What should I do if a pipe freezes?

First, know where your home's main water shutoff is located.

Our team recommends shutting off the water before attempting to thaw a frozen pipe because freezing can cause cracks that may not be immediately visible. Pipes should be warmed gradually using warm air rather than an open flame.

If you aren't certain where the pipe is frozen, cannot safely access it, see evidence of a leak, or suspect the pipe has burst, contact a professional plumber.

To learn more about your water shutoff blog, check out this blog. 

7. Who is responsible for a plumbing or sewer problem in Cherry Hill?

It depends on where the problem occurs.

For sanitary sewer issues, Cherry Hill Township states that the homeowner is responsible for the sanitary sewer line from the main-line connection to the home. If you experience a sewage blockage at the curb, however, the Township recommends calling the Sewer Department before contacting a plumber.

That local distinction is important because not every drainage or sewer problem starts within the home's plumbing system.

8. How can I tell if my plumbing needs professional attention before winter?

Consider having a plumber inspect the system if you have:
• Experienced frozen pipes in previous winters
• Plumbing running through a cold crawl space or garage
• Recurring leaks
• Corroded or aging pipes
• Outdoor faucets that don't shut off completely
• Unexplained drops in water pressure
• A main shutoff valve that doesn't operate correctly

A small issue found in November can often be easier to address than the same problem discovered during a January cold snap.

9. What is the best way to prepare my home plumbing before leaving for winter travel?

Before an extended trip:
• Keep heat running in the home.
• Check vulnerable pipes.
• Disconnect exterior hoses.
• Know where your main shutoff is.
• Make sure someone can access the house if a problem occurs.
• Consider having questionable plumbing inspected before leaving.

10. When should I call a plumbing for a frozen pipe in Cherry Hill?

Call for professional plumbing help if:
• You can't locate the frozen section.
• The affected pipe is inside a wall or other inaccessible area.
• You see water leaking.
• A pipe appears cracked or damaged.
• Multiple fixtures have lost water.
• The main shutoff isn't working.
• You've thawed a pipe but discover a leak afterward.

The faster a plumbing leak is controlled, the better your chances of limiting water damage.

How Can Cherry Hill Homeowners Get Their Plumbing Ready for Winter?

A little preparation before temperatures drop can make a big difference.

Start by walking through your Cherry Hill home and identifying where plumbing is exposed to colder air. Check outdoor faucets, disconnect hoses, protect vulnerable pipes and make sure everyone in your household knows where the main water shutoff is located.

If you find a leak, damaged pipe, questionable outdoor faucet or another plumbing problem, Ace Hardware Home Services can help homeowners in Cherry Hill and throughout South Jersey prepare their plumbing for winter.

Schedule plumbing service before a small problem turns into a cold-weather emergency.