Protecting Your Pipes During a Hard Freeze

Know which pipes are at risk

Pipes in crawl spaces, exterior walls, attics, and unheated garages freeze first. So do outdoor spigots and the supply line where it enters the house.

Before the cold arrives

Disconnect garden hoses and cover outdoor faucets. Close crawl space vents if your home has them. Wrap exposed pipes with foam insulation sleeves, available at any hardware store.

On the coldest nights

Let faucets on exterior walls drip slowly, hot and cold. Open cabinet doors under sinks so warm air reaches the pipes. Keep the thermostat at the same setting overnight.

If a pipe freezes

If a faucet only trickles, the line is likely frozen. Keep the faucet open and warm the pipe with a hair dryer or space heater, working from the faucet back. Never use an open flame. If you cannot find the frozen section, or it has split, shut off the main and call a plumber.

If a freeze has damaged a line, use the burst-pipe first steps and contact a company about frozen pipe repair in North Alabama. The leak-repair directory helps identify listed services; confirm the company’s current availability.

Leaving town

Set the thermostat no lower than 55 degrees and consider shutting off the main water valve and draining the lines while you are away.