Before winter
- Insulate pipes in crawl spaces, attics, garages and outside walls
- Seal gaps where cold air reaches pipes
- Disconnect hoses and shut off and drain outdoor faucets that are not frost-free
- Drain irrigation lines
- Know where the main shutoff is
On the coldest nights
Let a thin stream drip from faucets on outside walls. Open sink cabinet doors so room heat reaches the pipes. Keep the thermostat steady overnight rather than turning it down sharply, and keep heat on in a house left empty.
If a pipe has frozen
If a faucet gives only a trickle, open it and warm the pipe gently with a hair dryer or warm towels, working from the faucet back. Never use an open flame. If the pipe has split, shut off the main water first.
When professional help makes sense
If you cannot find or reach the frozen section, or if a pipe freezes repeatedly in the same place, it may need rerouting, better insulation or heat tape installed properly.