How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

Freezing temperatures and low wind chill can cause pipes to freeze. First insulate water supply pipes in unheated crawl spaces and garages. Exposed pipes beneath trailers and pier and beam homes should be wrapped with thermostat control heat cables or heat tape. Disconnect outside hoses and cover the faucets with foam insulation kits. If your home is equipped with interior shut-off valves to outside faucets, turn them off and drain the lines. When freezing weather is expected, make sure your furnace's thermostat is set no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent water supply pipes from freezing. Open cabinets under sinks to keep warm air circulating around pipes. And if a pipe does freeze, turn off the water supply to the pipe to reduce pressure and prevent flooding if a pipe bursts. If the frozen pipe is visible, you can use a hairdryer to thaw it and restore flow. Or you can call your local Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Drain cleaning expert. And while we appreciate your business, the best way to deal with frozen pipes is to prevent them from freezing in the first place. [Roto-Rooter jingle]