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A vacant home. No furnace. Water service left on during a deep freeze. That combination set the stage for a preventable disaster—and a master class in how frozen pipes actually happen. We unpack the physics in plain language, explain where pipes freeze first, and share practical steps to thaw safely without turning your crawl space into a bonfire hazard.

We start with the scenario: a two-story house sitting at near-freezing indoor temperatures, ice visible at a bathroom faucet, and a listing team that didn’t winterize. From there, we dive into why insulation alone won’t save stagnant water when single-digit temperatures linger, how cold creeps through gaps around hose bibs and gas lines, and why closed vanity doors can create mini freezers on exterior walls. You’ll learn a careful thaw routine—crack a nearby faucet, inspect for bulges or splits, apply gentle, directed heat, and let the trickle do the work—plus the common mistakes that cause fires, flooding, or carbon monoxide risks.

We also look at the real estate implications. Turning on water in an unheated, vacant property can mean damaged plumbing, hidden leaks behind drywall, and costly concessions at closing. As licensed home inspectors, we outline when to pause an inspection, what it takes to come back after repairs, and how buyers and sellers can protect themselves. Finally, we share simple prevention habits: keep the thermostat at 55–56°F when away, open cabinets on exterior walls, seal penetrations, insulate vulnerable runs, and properly winterize hose bibs.

Subscribe for more straight talk on home systems, share this episode with someone who needs a winter wake-up call, and leave a review with your best prevention tip—what temp do you set when you travel?

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To learn more about Habitation Investigation, the Three-time Winner of the Best Home Inspection Company in the Midwest Plus the Winner of Consumer Choice Award for Columbus Ohio visit Home Inspection Columbus Ohio - Habitation Investigation (homeinspectionsinohio.com)

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