Know where your pipes are vulnerable
- Exterior walls, especially in kitchens and bathrooms
- Unheated garages and crawl spaces
- Rooms over garages
- Outdoor hose bibs
Before winter
- Shut off and drain outdoor faucets from inside.
- Disconnect garden hoses.
- Insulate exposed pipes in unheated spaces.
- Seal drafts near pipes.
During a cold snap
- Keep your thermostat at a steady temperature, including overnight.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls.
- Let a faucet drip slightly on very cold nights if a pipe is known to freeze.
When you travel
Keep the heat on, and consider asking someone to check the house. Know how to shut off your main water supply in case of an emergency.
If a pipe freezes
If no water comes out of a tap, a pipe may be frozen. Do not use an open flame to thaw it. Call a licensed plumber. If the pipe has burst, shut off the main water and call for water damage help.
This article is general information, not professional, medical or insurance advice. For an emergency, call us 24/7 or return to the homepage.