Preventing Pipe Bursts: A Checklist for Your Illinois Home

Illinois winters come fast and hit hard. One day can feel manageable, then overnight the temperature drops below freezing. That swing is all it takes for pipes to freeze. When water inside a pipe turns to ice, it expands. Pipes are not designed to stretch, so eventually they crack. The damage from one burst pipe can ruin floors, walls, and furniture before you even know what happened.

At Tiger Plumbing, we spend every winter helping families in Collinsville, Springfield, Bloomington, and Peoria recover from frozen pipes. The good news is, with the right preparation, you can avoid most of these headaches.

Understanding Pipe Burst Risks in Illinois

Freezing weather is the main risk, but not the only one. Pipes that are old, uninsulated, or located in unheated spaces like basements, garages, and crawlspaces are the most likely to freeze. It does not take days of cold either. Just a few hours below 32F can stop water in its tracks.

Springfield and Peoria have plenty of older homes with plumbing that was never insulated properly. Crawlspaces in rural areas often leave pipes exposed to cold air. In Bloomington and other central Illinois cities, aging municipal infrastructure adds another layer of stress, making pipes weaker over time.

When a pipe bursts, the real damage comes from the water that follows. Hundreds of gallons can flow into your home in a single day. It soaks walls, flooring, and insulation. If cleanup is slow, mold becomes the next problem. That is why prevention is so important.

Your Winter Pipe Burst Prevention Checklist

Here are the simple steps every Illinois homeowner should take:

Insulate pipes in unheated areas. Foam sleeves or heat tape add a layer of protection in basements, attics, and crawlspaces.
Let faucets drip during cold nights. A small trickle keeps water moving and reduces pressure inside the pipe.
Disconnect outdoor hoses. Leaving hoses connected lets ice back up into the wall and can split the pipe inside.
Keep your heat steady. Do not set the thermostat below 55°F, even if you are leaving town.
Open kitchen and bathroom cabinets. This helps warm air reach pipes along outside walls.
Seal up drafts. Cold air sneaking in through cracks or window gaps often freezes one small section of pipe while the rest stays fine.

Illinois-Specific Winter Plumbing Tips

Illinois weather is unpredictable, and different areas face different risks. In Rockford and other northern cities, snow can pile against the house and block exterior vents. That trapped cold air makes freezing worse. In central Illinois, wind chills drop temperatures lower than the forecast shows, so pipes can freeze faster than expected.

Another problem is sudden thawing. A week of deep freeze followed by a quick warm-up creates stress on plumbing. Weak joints or old fittings often give way during these swings. That is why having a plumber inspect your system in the fall is smart. At Tiger, we regularly find corroded spots or outdated pipes during inspections in Springfield, Bloomington, and other places in our service area. Replacing them before winter avoids emergencies later.

We also recommend knowing where your main shut-off valve is located. Most Illinois homes have it in the basement or near the foundation wall. If a pipe bursts, shutting that valve quickly limits the damage while you wait for help.

What to Do if a Pipe Bursts

If a pipe bursts in your home, act fast:

Turn off the main water supply. This keeps more water from coming in.

Avoid standing water near outlets or appliances. Water and electricity do not mix.

Call a plumber immediately. Tiger Plumbing is available for 24 hour scheduling a day across Illinois.

Mop up standing water and move valuables to a dry spot if it is safe to do so.

Take photos or video for insurance before cleanup goes too far.

Speed matters. A quick response can be the difference between a repair and a full remodel.

Why do Pipes Burst in Summer and Warmer Months?

Burst pipes are typically a concern in the winter, due to freezing temperatures. Unfortunately, your pipes are not safe just because it is summer. Here are some reasons your pipes can burst during the warmer months and what you can do to stop it from happening!

Older Pipes

Pipes will degrade and deteriorate over time, like most things. Metal pipes are especially susceptible to corrosion, while plastic pipes break down naturally over time. When the pipes in your home age, they slowly lose their ability to handle the pressures they are constantly subjected to. As your pipes deteriorate, they become more and more likely to burst. Your best defense against aging pipes is to replace them before they fail you.

Pipe Erosion and Corrosion

When your pipes erode or corrode, they create weak spots in your piping. These weak spots are vulnerable and more likely to leak and burst because they can no longer withstand the water pressure. Staying ahead of erosion and corrosion with annual inspections is key, especially since pipes can burst in the summer due to these hidden vulnerabilities..

Also, keep in mind that hot water has the potential of causing the soil around your outdoor pipes to move, which can damage and even break the pipes. This is especially true when the weather is dryer. While this typically is a larger concern for water mains found in the street, the pipes leading up to your home is also vulnerable. If you are concerned about your outdoor pipes, you can have one of our expert plumbers come to your home and assess your risks.

Clogged Pipes

A burst pipe is just one of the concerns caused by a clogged pipe. If your water happens to have a high mineral content, you may have extra reasons to be concerned. Over time, mineral deposits will build up in your pipes. This build up reduces the area in your pipes, restricting water flow and increasing pressure. In cases when the pressure exceeds the pipe’s threshold, it can cause the pipe to burst. If you happen to live in an area where the water has a higher mineral count, also known as hard water, having a water softener installed by one of our expert plumbers is an effective method to protect your pipes. Water softeners are designed to remove most of the minerals in your water and help prevent your pipes from clogging.

Poorly Installed Pipes

Unfortunately, not every plumber has as high standards as we do and poorly installed pipes are at a greater risk of failure, leaks and bursting. Whether they are improperly soldered, poorly insulated or inadequately supported, if your pipes were not installed correctly, you could be in for some unpleasant surprises. If you have any concerns about how your pipes were installed, call us at (618) 484-9822, to have your plumbing system inspected by a true plumbing professional.

Why Trust Tiger for Your Plumbing Needs

Winter can be brutal on plumbing, but you don’t have to wait for frozen or burst pipes to find out the hard way. Tiger Plumbing has been helping Illinois families for decades, and we know what it takes to prepare homes in Collinsville, Springfield, Bloomington, and Peoria for the season ahead. With pre-season inspections, complete plumbing services, and a reputation for showing up when it matters most, you can count on us to keep your home safe and comfortable all winter long. Call Tiger today and make sure your plumbing is ready before the cold sets in.