Preventing Frozen/Burst Pipes
It's that time of year... when the temperature drops below freezing, there is a very real possibility of your water pipes freezing in your house which could cause your pipes to burst and ruin your house with water when they thaw. Below are a few things that can help:

• Remove, drain, and store hoses used outdoors. Close inside valves supplying outdoor hose bibs. Open the outside hose bibs to allow water to drain. Keep the outside valve open so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing the pipe to break.
  
  
• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
  
  
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing.
  
  
• Let cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing because the temperature of the water running through it is above freezing.
  
  
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night.
  
  
• If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55ºF.
  

Additional Information:

Red Cross - Preventing and Thawing Frozen Pipes

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