01/23/2026
Preparing your pipe for this extreme cold:
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.
Stay warm and safe out there!
