- Homeowners should insulate pipes in unheated areas like basements, garages, and crawl spaces. Use inexpensive hardware store materials to prevent pipes from freezing and to keep warm water flowing.
- Circulate warm air around pipes by keeping cabinet doors open. Circulate a trickle of tap water through pipes during extreme cold to help prevent them freezing up.
- Locate your water meter, protect it from drafts, and make sure basement doors and windows are shut tight.
- If pipes do freeze, slow thaw with a hair dryer. Never use an open flame to thaw pipes.