---
title: Helping Your School Prevent Frozen Pipes
description: Tips to help prevent frozen pipes at schools.
---

[Risk Management Articles ](https://risk.uticanational.com/blog)

# [Helping Your School Prevent Frozen Pipes](https://risk.uticanational.com/blog/helping-your-school-prevent-frozen-pipes)

 Written by [Utica National Risk Management Team](https://risk.uticanational.com/blog/author/utica-national-risk-management-team) | Jan 20, 2026 7:27:42 PM

 

If your school is in an area prone to winter weather, it’s important to prevent pipes from freezing, especially during school breaks.

**Three Primary Causes of Frozen Pipes**

- Sudden drop in temperature
- Poor insulation
- Inadequate heat

Pipes typically freeze when temperatures fall below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. If a pipe bursts, it can cause substantial damage. It is recommended that buildings maintain a temperature of at least 60-65 degrees in the winter, and proper planning is in place to reduce the likelihood of a frozen pipe.

**Despite the precautions, pipes can still freeze in the winter.**

**What should my school do if a pipe bursts?**

- Shut off the main water valve to reduce further damage.
- Do not operate any electrical appliances in areas of standing water.
- Report the incident to your independent agent, or to Utica National online at   
  [https://www.uticanational.com/claimsresourcecenter ](https://www.uticanational.com/claimsresourcecenter?__hstc=128011720.96b2a6c377de6efec907f948657fe812.1738598587942.1768931492457.1768936720329.151&__hssc=128011720.2.1768936720329&__hsfp=c2c80371bf7f43e4a4b03425f0f674da)or by phone at 800-216-1420 as soon as reasonably possible. 
- Begin the dry out process.

Consider the following to prevent frozen pipes:

| Before Winter - Add signage to the main water valve, so it can be easily identified. - Seal crawl spaces and attics.  - Install frost-free outdoor faucets. - Request a sprinkler inspection from your servicing company to ensure pipes are properly insulated. - Insulate other exposed pipes, especially on outer walls. | During Winter - Shut off water in unoccupied or unheated buildings, drain all interior and exterior water lines, and leave faucets open. - Monitor the temperature in buildings by installing thermometers in locations susceptible to freezing. - Install an additional source of heat in rooms that are consistently below the recommended temperature. - Ensure all exterior openings are closed or sealed (cracks, windows, etc.).  |
| --- | --- |

If you have any questions about preventing frozen pipes, please reach out to Educational Institutions Segment Specialist **John Acee **at [john.acee@uticanational.com](mailto:john.acee@uticanational.com).

A portion of this risk management alert was provided by Educational Service District 112: [https://www.esd112.org/news/preventing-frozen-pipes](https://www.esd112.org/news/preventing-frozen-pipes)/ and the Red Cross: [https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/winter-storm/frozen-pipes.html](https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/winter-storm/frozen-pipes.html)

5-R-1437

[View full post](https://risk.uticanational.com/blog/helping-your-school-prevent-frozen-pipes)

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Utica National Risk Management Team"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2026-05-27T12:54:21.344Z",
  "datePublished" : "2026-01-20T19:27:42Z",
  "headline" : "Helping Your School Prevent Frozen Pipes",
  "image" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "height" : 3648,
    "url" : "https://23262225.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/23262225/Frozen%20Pipes.jpg",
    "width" : 5472
  },
  "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://risk.uticanational.com/blog/helping-your-school-prevent-frozen-pipes",
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "height" : 60,
      "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/default-amp-logo.png",
      "width" : 60
    },
    "name" : "Risk Management Articles"
  }
}
```