- Run a small, steady stream of water from a cold-water faucet in extremely cold weather. The cost of the water is minimal compared to dealing with the cost and inconvenience of frozen or burst pipes.
- Locate your main water shutoff valve. This valve controls the flow of water into your house. It’s usually located near the water heater, in the basement, or in a utility closet. Turning off the water in the event of a burst pipe can minimize the damage.
- Wrap exposed pipes with insulating material which you can buy at a hardware store or towels.
- Open cabinet doors to allow heat to circulate around the pipes.
- If your home has a crawl space, cover the outside vents to prevent arctic air from freezing the pipes.
- If your house has a slab foundation, close the garage door. Some water pipes are located under concrete floors in the garage.
You can find additional information at LouisvilleWater.com/ColdWeatherTips.