Keep Your Pipes From Freezing
Generally, pipes that are exposed to frigid outdoor temperatures freeze more readily—such as hose bibs, swimming pool lines and water sprinkler lines. Pipes that run along exterior walls in your home with minimal insulation also tend to freeze more easily.
Regardless of where they are located, frozen pipes can carry significant consequences—including property damage from your pipes bursting, flooding and the potential for a disruption in water supply. With this in mind, here’s what you can do keep your pipes from freezing when temperatures drop.
- Insulate pipes in unheated interior areas, such as crawl spaces and attics.
- Wrap pipes in heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables.
- Open cabinet doors to expose pipes to warm air.
- Seal any leaks with caulk or insulation.
- Disconnect outdoor items such as hoses and faucets. Shut off these items completely using an
indoor valve and allow the excess water to drain out. - Trickle a little water out of your faucets periodically to keep water moving within the pipes.
- Keep your garage door closed if there is a water supply in there.
- Keep your thermostat set at the same temperature during the day and night.
- Do not set your thermostat lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit when going on vacation.
How to Respond to Frozen Pipes
If you turn on a faucet and no water or only a trickle comes out, your pipes may be frozen. Turn off the main water valve and keep the faucet on. Apply heat to the pipe by using an electric heating pad, hair dryer or portable space heater, or by wrapping the pipe in towels soaked in hot water. You should apply heat until you regain water pressure. If this does not solve the problem, contact a licensed plumber to inspect your pipes.
For more home maintenance guidance and homeowners insurance solutions, contact us today.
This flyer is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional advice. © 2008, 2013, 2016, 2021 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.
About the Author
Share This Story
Related Blogs
Group Health Premiums on the Rise: What Employers Need to Know
In 2025, rising group health premiums are becoming a central concern for employers. Carriers like UnitedHealth, Anthem, and CVS Health have issued projections showing significant cost increases—driven by escalating claims severity, specialty drug costs, and continued labor shortages across provider networks.
SECURE 2.0 Implementation: A New Era in Retirement Planning
The SECURE 2.0 Act, passed in late 2022 and now in active rollout through 2025, is reshaping the landscape of workplace retirement planning. Designed to expand access, modernize plan design, and improve financial preparedness, the law introduces over 90 new provisions—many of which are now surfacing in HR departments across the country.
Visitor Check-In and Access Control Best Practices
Visitor check-in and access control best practices are essential for ensuring campus safety. With increasing security concerns in schools, implementing visitor check-in and access control best practices helps minimize unauthorized access, protect students and staff, and ensure a safe learning environment.