When temperatures are predicted to be well below freezing:
- Tightly close doors and windows to the outside.
- Insulate pipes in unheated or drafty areas. Hardware and plumbing supply stores carry insulation to keep pipes from freezing.
- Shut off and drain the pipes leading to your outside faucets so no water is left to freeze, expand and cause a leak in these lines.
- Close the inside valves and drain the pipes leading to your outside hose bib (faucet).
- Know where your main shut-off valve is. Minimize the risk of water damage by ensuring everyone in the household knows how to shut off the water in an emergency.
- Open the cabinets beneath any place with a water supply, such as the kitchen and bathroom sinks. This will allow warm air to circulate. (Remove any toxic substances first if there are small children or pets in the home.)
- To prevent your pipes from freezing, let a faucet drip slowly with cold water. The faucet you choose should be the one that is the greatest distance from your water shut-off valve, which is usually near your water heater. It does NOT need to be a running trickle.