01/23/2026
PREPARING YOUR PIPES FOR WINTER WEATHER!!
Each year, homeowners across the country are affected by pipes that freeze and burst, resulting in damage that is frustrating and costly. But freezing temperatures don’t have to mean frozen pipes! You can potentially avoid this common cause of property damage by taking the steps necessary to winterize your home’s plumbing and knowing what to do in the event of an emergency.
Steps to take before winter:
Locate pipes vulnerable to freezing. Check areas that tend to be unheated such as crawlspaces, garages, exterior walls, and attics.
Protect your pipes. Insulate water pipes in areas exposed to cold temperatures. Both hot and cold-water pipes in these locations should be insulated. Foam tubing or “sleeves” in different thicknesses and pipe widths can be found at your local hardware store.
Know how to shut off your water. Locate your home’s main water shut-off valve by checking for it along the outside wall near the water meter, the inside wall access panel, or in the basement. Identify if you have a ball or gate valve and know how to turn it off.
Check irrigation systems. Disable sprinklers for the season and fully drain the system.
Safeguard exterior faucets. Disconnect hoses ahead of cold weather and inspect for leaks that may need to be repaired. Purchase insulated slip-on covers to secure to outside faucets to prevent any remaining water from freezing.
What to do if temperatures reach freezing:
Let faucets drip. Keep water moving through the pipes by allowing a small amount of water to run through both the hot and cold faucets.
Heat your home. To ensure the air around your pipes is warm enough to prevent freezing, set your thermostat to a minimum of 65 degrees (day and night) – the warmer you can go the better.
Keep pipes warm. Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow heat from rooms to circulate around the plumbing.
In the event your pipes freeze:
Turn off the water. Immediately shut off the water to your home if your pipes are frozen. You and your family should know where the main water shut-off valve is located and how to turn it off. Do this before attempting to thaw pipes or clean up any mess.
Thaw pipes with warm air. If you discover your pipes are frozen, take action to thaw them right away. You can warm them using a hair dryer or space heater or call a plumber to help.
Turn the water back on. After pipes are thawed, turn the water back on slowly to check for cracks or leaks that may have been caused by freezing. A licensed plumber will need to complete the repairs if there is pipe damage.
Maintaining your home is one of the most important things you can do as a homeowner. Be prepared this winter by taking the steps necessary to keep your home safe.
