To prevent water pipes from freezing in cold weather:

  • Open cabinet doors under sinks located on outside walls.
  • Leave hot and cold water dripping in faucets.
  • Put foam covers over outdoor spigots.
  • Insulate water pipes with foam pipe insulation.

Watch the video above to find out more.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Danny Lipford: When the weatherman says the temperature’s really about to get cold, you have to be concerned with frozen pipes, which can lead to burst pipes. But there’s a few things you can do to prevent that from happening.

First of all, if you have any sinks on an outside wall, like a kitchen or a bath, make sure you open up those cabinets to allow the heated air to circulate inside those cabinets. Also, make sure you leave a little water dripping on one of your faucets so that water continues moving through those water lines. And the outside hose bibs, you can use an insulated cover to cover all of those up to prevent any problem with them.

Now the very best thing you can do if your house is up on piers like this, is to insulate all the water pipes underneath. And that’s what Allen and I are about to tackle.

Any kind of work under a house is dirty, but these disposable crawl suits make it a little less miserable.

All right, let’s give this a try. It won’t be too bad. Heck, there’s plastic under here. This is great. I don’t like this view back here, so if you can move along.

Allen Lyle: Sorry about that. Check this out, Danny. Right here.

Danny Lipford: What is it?

Allen Lyle: I think this is—the supply is going into the house—right here.

Danny Lipford: Yeah, that’d be good.

Allen Lyle: All right.

Danny Lipford: Let’s see. Sit up in here. I like these lights down here. Pretty cool. All right, let’s see. You got the scissors?

Allen Lyle: I do.

Danny Lipford: All right, right there. Let it go down into the ground a little bit. And then that one’s just about right for the other side.


Further Information

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Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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