Prevent Frozen Pipes

Graphic showing customers when to drip their water during the Jan 2026 freezing weather event

It's not just people and pets that need protection from freezing weather - it's important to keep outdoor or exposed pipes and faucets protected, too!

Here are a few handy tips to keep your pipes safe during freezing weather.

Outdoor spigots

  • Disconnect hoses, then cover with basic foam or plastic covers.
  • For exposed pipes in crawl spaces and unheated basements, or backflow devices that may be above ground, frost wrap or insulated foam can help do the trick.

Don't have time to go to the hardware store? Look online for DIY options using towels, Styrofoam cups, duct tape and other common household items.

In some homes, the outside faucet has its own shut-off in the basement in addition to the shut-off valve for the entire house. If you have a separate valve for outside faucets, close the valve, remove hoses, and drain the faucet. 

Sprinkler Systems

Winterize your sprinkler system

  • Make it part of your annual home maintenance routine to turn off and winterize your sprinkler system before winter weather strikes. Check the manufacturer's instructions for the best way to do this.

If your sprinkler system isn't winterized, you can still keep pipes from freezing by turning off your system not just at the controller, but at the valve near the curb (this is usually a separate vault from your water meter vault). If you're not sure how to do this, contact a plumber or a local irrigation service company.

Indoor Plumbing

Instructions for indoor pipe protection may need to vary based upon the age and construction of the home, location of the plumbing and whether there is any exposed pipes. The following is typical for a house on slab construction, and may not represent all house types.

  • Open cabinet doors underneath sinks to allow warm air to circulate, keeping pipes warm.
  • If pipes are along exterior walls or are in crawl spaces, adding frost wrap or insulating foam can help keep pipes from freezing.

When temperatures dip below 32 degrees for a sustained period of time, many people opt to drip their faucets to help prevent pipes from freezing. If you choose to drip, remember the following:

  • Drip only those faucets in rooms where pipes are located along exterior walls (there are exceptions for mobile home residents or in houses where heating ventilation is not good.)
  • To drip, open up both hot and cold faucets to a medium flow, then back off and lessen the flow until it gets to a small steady stream, about the size of a pencil lead or strand of spaghetti - just enough to keep water flowing. Check out our video below.

For homes with crawl spaces or unheated basements:

Pipes in unheated areas, such as the crawl space under the house, the attic, the garage, and the unheated basement, should be wrapped to prevent freezing.

  • Use insulating tape and wrap it over the entire length of exposed pipe.
  • You can also use flexible molded pipe sleeves.
  • Cover all valves, pipe fittings, etc. with insulating tape or fiberglass.

Other Considerations

  • Hold off on water-intensive chores such as laundry or dishes until the evening hours when general water demand is lower.
  • Be ready to locate your main shut-off valve in your home. If you don't know where this is and you experience a pipe break, contact a plumber or call Utilities Customer Service for an emergency shut-off. We will cut water off at the meter.
  • Turn off your water from your main shut-off valve if you plan to be gone for a long time. 
  • If you experience a pipe burst in your home, call a licensed plumber.
  • If you see water in the street, at the curb or in your meter box, contact Utilities Customer Service at (405) 297-2833.
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