Published · By Elite Restoration Services of Iowa
Before winter
- Disconnect, drain and store garden hoses. Close inside valves to outdoor spigots and drain them.
- Insulate exposed pipes in crawlspaces, attics, garages and along exterior walls. Foam pipe sleeves are inexpensive at hardware stores.
- Seal drafts near pipes where cold air gets in, like rim joists and sill plates.
- Know where your main water shutoff is, and make sure it turns.
- If you have a sprinkler system, have it blown out.
On very cold nights
- Keep the garage door closed if water lines run through it.
- Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors on outside walls so warm air reaches the pipes.
- Let a faucet on an outside wall drip cold water. Moving water is less likely to freeze.
- Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night.
When you're away
The Red Cross recommends keeping the heat no lower than 55°F. Ask someone to check the house daily, and show them where the main shutoff is. For vacant properties and rentals, a tagged shutoff and a quick walkthrough help a lot.
If a pipe freezes
Keep the faucet open. Warm the pipe with a hair dryer, heating pad or a space heater kept away from anything flammable. Never use an open flame. If you can't find the frozen spot or can't thaw it, call a licensed plumber.
If a pipe bursts
Shut off the main, stay away from water near electrical, photograph everything, and call. Elite Restoration Services of Iowa answers 24/7 at 515-216-4293, with a free on-site inspection. See What to Do in the First Hour After a Burst Pipe.