Key takeaways
- Disconnect hoses and cover outdoor faucets.
- Open cabinet doors on exterior walls.
- Let a faucet drip on the coldest nights.
- Know where your main shutoff is.
Before the cold arrives
Disconnect garden hoses and cover outdoor faucets with insulated domes. Insulate exposed pipes in crawl spaces, garages and attics with foam sleeves. Seal gaps where cold air gets in, like around pipes that pass through walls and foundation vents.
If you leave town, set the heat no lower than about fifty-five degrees.
On the coldest nights
Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls so warm air reaches the pipes. Let a faucet drip, since moving water is slower to freeze. Keep the thermostat steady rather than setting it back overnight.
In an extended freeze, check pipes in unheated spaces.
If a pipe freezes
If no water comes out of a faucet, a pipe may be frozen. Open the faucet, find the frozen section and warm it gently with a hair dryer or warm towels. Never use an open flame. If a pipe has split, shut off the main valve and call a plumber.
A plumber in the Nashville area can also add insulation or reroute vulnerable pipes so next time is easier.
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Quick answers
At what temperature do pipes freeze?
Pipes in unheated spaces can freeze when it stays below about twenty degrees for several hours, and sooner with wind. Exposed pipes are the most at risk.
Should I let my faucets drip?
On very cold nights, a slow drip at a faucet on an exterior wall helps. It keeps water moving and relieves pressure if ice forms.
Ready to talk it through? Get a free estimate or call 615-431-3789.