How to Prevent Pipes from Freezing

Prevention is key! Here are 10 tips:

1. Keep all water-supply piping away from outside walls, where it could be exposed to cold winter weather.
2. If it is imperative to have pipes located on an outside wall, be sure they are well insulated. Piping insulation is sold in both rubber and fiberglass.
3. Insulate pipes in all other unheated areas as well, such as crawl spaces, basements, attics, and garages. Fix the source of any drafts (such as near cables, dryer vents, bathroom fan vents, and windows) and insulate pipes at risk.
4. Before winter, close the water shut-off valve inside your home that provides water to outside spigots. Then, drain each line by opening its spigot until it no longer drips, then close the spigot.
5. Keep garage doors and outside doors closed, and plug up drafts.
6. Open all faucets, both hot and cold water, to just a trickle, to keep water moving in the pipes to help to prevent icing.
7. Set the thermostat to at least 55ºF (13°C) both day and night—no lower. Higher is even better, especially if your home is not well insulated.
8. Keep doors to all rooms open to allow heat to flow to all areas, which helps to warm the pipes in the walls.
9. Open the cabinets under the kitchen and bathroom sinks so that the warmer air temperature of each room can flow around the plumbing. (Be sure to keep cleaners and other hazardous chemicals away from children and pets.)
10. Check your local forecast to see if you’ll be having subfreezing temperatures sometime soon.