Water has a unique property of expanding as it freezes, putting tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it including metal or plastic pipes, causing them to break. Pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like crawl spaces, attics and garages. Also, pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing.
Preventative measures should be taken prior to the onset of cold weather. Here are some helpful tips:
Drain water from swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines following the installer's or manufacturer's directions. Do not put antifreeze in these lines unless directed. Antifreeze is environmentally harmful, and is dangerous to humans, pets, wildlife and landscaping.
Remove, drain and store hoses used outdoors. Close inside valves supplying outdoor hose bibs. Open the outside hose bibs to allow water to drain. Keep the outside valve open so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without cause the pipe to break.
Check around the home for other areas where water supply lines are located and are in unheated areas. Look in the crawl space, attic, garage and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Both hot and cold water pipes in these areas should be insulated. A hot water supply line can freeze just as a cold water supply line can freeze if the water is not running through the pipe and the water temperature in the pipe is cold.
 Install pipe sleeves on exposed water pipes. These are inexpensive but highly effective. Pipes should be carefully wrapped with ends butted tightly and joints wrapped with tape. Even newspaper can provide some degree of insulation and protection to exposed pipes. Just 1/4" of newspaper can provide significant protection in areas that usually do not have frequent or prolonged temperatures below freezing.
Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing because the temperature of the water running through it is above freezing.
Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst. And if you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
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