An average of a quarter-million families have their homes ruined and their lives disrupted each winter, all because of water pipes that freeze and burst.  And recovering from frozen pipes is not as simple as calling a plumber.  An eighth-inch (three millimeter) crack in a pipe can spew up to 150 gallons (946 liters) of water a day.  Both plastic (PVC) and copper pipes can burst.  By taking a few precautions, you can save yourself the mess, money and aggravation frozen pipes cause.

Before the cold hits

Insulate pipes in your home’s crawl spaces and attic.  These exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing.  Remember- the more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes will be. 

Heat tape can be used to wrap pipes.  Closely follow all manufacturers’ installation and operation instructions.

Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located.  Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes.  Use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out and the heat in.  With severe cold, even a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze.

Disconnect garden hoses and use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets.

When the mercury drops

A tickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing.  Let warm water drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall.

Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to un – insulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.

Before you go away

Set the thermostat in your house no lower than 55°F.

Ask a friend or neighbor to check your house daily to make sure it’s warm enough to prevent freezing.

Shut off and drain the water system.  Be aware that if you have a fire protection sprinkler system in your house, it will be deactivated when you shut off the water.

If your pipes freeze

Don’t take chances.  If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber.  If you detect that your water pipes have frozen and burst, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve in the house; leave the water faucets turned on.  (Make sure everyone in your household knows where the water shut-off valve is and how to open and close it.)