Winter Plumbing in Paris: Preventing Frozen Pipes
Paris Winters and Your Pipes
Paris temperatures regularly drop below freezing between December and February. While the city rarely sees extreme cold, even a few days below -5°C can freeze exposed pipes — especially in older Haussmannian buildings where pipes run through unheated stairwells, exterior walls, and attic spaces. Frozen pipes are one of the most common causes of burst pipes and flooding in Parisian apartments.
Preventing Frozen Pipes
Keep your apartment heated to at least 14°C, even when away. Never turn off heating completely during winter travel. Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls to let warm air circulate around pipes. If you have exposed pipes in unheated spaces (cave, attic), insulate them with foam pipe lagging — available at any Castorama or Leroy Merlin for a few euros per meter.
Leaving Paris for Winter Holidays?
If leaving your apartment unoccupied for more than a few days in winter, take precautions. Set heating to at least 14°C. Ask a neighbor or friend to check the apartment every couple of days. Consider shutting off the water at the main valve and draining the pipes by opening all faucets until they run dry. This eliminates the risk of a burst pipe flooding your apartment while you are away.
How to Thaw Frozen Pipes Safely
If you turn on a faucet and nothing comes out during a cold snap, the pipe is likely frozen. Open the faucet so water can flow once the ice melts. Apply gentle heat to the frozen section using a hairdryer, hot towels, or a space heater. Start from the faucet end and work back toward the frozen section. Never use an open flame, boiling water directly on pipes, or a heat gun at full blast — sudden temperature changes can crack the pipe.
When a Frozen Pipe Bursts
If you hear a sudden rush of water or see a bulging, cracked pipe, the ice has already caused a rupture. Shut off the water immediately at the main valve. Turn off electricity in the affected area. Contain the water and call an emergency plumber. Do not wait — water damage in a Paris apartment spreads quickly to neighboring units below.
Building-Level Prevention
If you own an apartment or serve on the building syndic, advocate for insulating pipes in common areas — basements, stairwells, and attic spaces. A single frozen riser (colonne montante) can affect every apartment in the building. The cost of pipe insulation is minimal compared to the damage from a burst communal pipe.
