Why a 30-Second Pool Noodle Trick Is The Secret to Beating Frozen Pipes and Sudden Leaks This Winter – It's Quick, Easy, and Affordable

Frozen pipework is one of winter's most expensive and stressful surprises, but preventing it doesn't have to be complicated or expensive.

In fact, all it takes are simple and cheap pool noodles from Walmart, a box cutter, and less than a minute of your time.

This is how the experts use this quick and easy trick to insulate pipes without expensive heat tape, and why it works so well.

This Pool Noodle Trick Is The Secret to Beating Frozen Pipes

Stopping pipes from freezing is simple. All you need is a combination of insulation and dripping faucets to keep water moving.

While you can buy pipe-specific insulation covers, pool noodles are often thicker, easier to source, and often cheaper for a quick fix that you may already have in your pool supplies, should the temperatures drop suddenly or unexpectedly.

It's also super simple to implement, Steve Ellis, VP of Wind River Environmental's residential line of business, assures. 'You can wrap exposed pipes with polyethylene foam noodles by slicing them lengthwise, fitting them around the pipe, and securing them with tape or zip ties.

'This method is useful for pipes in unheated spaces such as garages or crawlspaces and provides a quick layer of protection during sudden cold snaps.'

To ensure the perfect temperature to avoid frozen pipes and perfect the fit, he shares the following steps:

1. Measure the length of the exposed pipe you want to insulate and gather enough pool noodles to cover it.
2. Slice each pool noodle lengthwise so it can open and fit around the pipe. A boxcutter, from Walmart, is handy for this.
3. Fit the noodle around the pipe, making sure to cover all exposed sections, including bends if possible.
4. Fill any small gaps with extra material, such as old insulation or rags, to ensure a snug fit.
5. Secure the noodles in place using tape or zip ties [also from Walmart] to prevent them from sliding off.
6. If the pipes are outdoors or in areas exposed to wind or moisture, add a weather-resistant wrap [from Walmart] over the noodles for extra protection.

It is worth noting, however, that pipe insulation is only a temporary solution, and as with any foam product, it will need replacing over time.

For a longer-term solution to winterizing a house, Steve recommends installing safeguards such as heat tape or heating cables, available from Lowe's. This is especially important for very cold climates and helpful for areas that regularly experience cold winters.

For outdoor pipes, he adds, insulation with UV-resistant jacketing [such as this rubber pipe wrap insulation from Lowe's] is also a must for long-term prevention.

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Meet the Expert

Steve Ellis

Steve Ellis serves as the Vice President of the Residential Line of Business at Wind River Environmental (WRE), where he leads strategy and operations for one of the company’s fastest-growing divisions. Since joining WRE, Steve has played a key role in expanding residential services and driving innovation within a traditionally service-based industry. 

No matter how well you insulate your pipes in winter, it never hurts to know exactly what to do if a pipe bursts to prevent further damage to your home.