Linek Plumbing Featured on Fox2: Cold Weather Plumbing Tips

Linek Plumbing Company

When winter temperatures drop in St. Louis, frozen pipes quickly become one of the most common and costly home emergencies. This week, Fox2 News invited Linek Plumbing Company—a trusted plumbing provider serving the region since 1916—to share expert guidance on how homeowners can protect their plumbing systems during extreme cold.

Below are the same practical, easy-to-follow steps (some of which, we shared on air) to help prevent frozen pipes, avoid water damage, and keep your home safe through the cold snap.

Why Pipes Freeze in St. Louis Homes

Homes in the St. Louis area, especially older houses with crawlspaces or uninsulated exterior walls, are uniquely vulnerable during sudden temperature drops. Pipes freeze when they lose heat faster than the home can replace it.

Drafts and airflow play a major role. Moving cold air acts like “wind chill” on plumbing—accelerating heat loss and making pipes freeze much faster than they would in still air. This is why the same spots tend to freeze year after year: under kitchen sinks, in basements, behind showers, and anywhere cold air can sneak into the structure.

Understanding these cold-air pathways is key to preventing frozen pipes.

How Drafts and Airflow Increase the Risk of Frozen Pipes

During the Fox2 interview, we explained that:

• Drafts strip heat from pipes quickly, lowering pipe temperatures even when the rest of the house is warm.
• Small gaps in rim joists, foundation walls, and crawlspaces can create airflow directly onto plumbing lines.
• Insulation slows heat loss, but cannot overcome strong drafts—which is why sealing air leaks is just as important as insulating pipes.
• Rooms with negative pressure (laundry rooms, bathrooms with exhaust fans running) can pull in cold air that reaches plumbing lines.

If there is one takeaway for homeowners: moving air is the enemy of warm pipes.

Practical Steps Homeowners Can Take Today

These are the same cold-weather plumbing tips shared on Fox2 News:

1. Let warm air reach your pipes

Open cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks—especially if those sinks sit on exterior walls.

2. Allow faucets to drip during extreme cold

Running water is far less likely to freeze. A slow, steady drip is enough to keep water moving.

3. Disconnect garden hoses

Left connected, a hose can cause the entire faucet line to freeze back into the home.

4. Insulate vulnerable pipes

Basements, crawlspaces, garages, and unheated mechanical rooms are the most common freeze points.

5. Seal drafts where possible

Use foam, caulk, or insulation board to block cold air from entering around pipes.

6. Know the early warning signs

If water slows to a trickle—or stops entirely—you may have a freeze forming.

7. If a pipe freezes, shut off the water immediately

Thaw slowly using gentle heat (never open flames). If you cannot find the freeze, call a professional.

What to Do If Your Pipes Freeze

If you turn on a faucet and nothing comes out:

1. Turn off your main water shutoff valve.
2. Gently warm the suspected frozen area with a hair dryer or safe space heater.
3. Avoid using excessive heat, which can cause pipes to burst.
4. Call a licensed plumber if you cannot locate the freeze quickly.

Burst pipes can cause thousands of dollars in damage in minutes, so acting early makes all the difference.

Why St. Louis Homeowners Trust Linek Plumbing

Linek Plumbing Company has served St. Louis homes and businesses for more than 100 years. Our plumbers are well-trained, highly experienced, and trusted throughout the region for honest, professional service—especially during winter weather events that put local homes at risk.

Being featured on Fox2 News is a reflection of our team’s commitment to helping the St. Louis community stay safe, informed, and prepared.

Watch the Fox2 News Feature

View the full interview and cold-weather guidance.

Need Help Protecting Your Home from the Cold?

If you’re concerned about frozen pipes, drafts, or cold-weather plumbing issues, our team is here to help.

Contact Linek Plumbing Company for trusted, local, professional service.