Jan 21, 2026

Winter Preparedness: Best Practices for Preventing Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes are more than just an inconvenience; they can burst and cause thousands of dollars in damage. The good news is prevention is much easier (and cheaper) than repair.

Friday, January 23 through Friday, January 30, our area will experience freezing temperatures, with daytime highs in the 30s and overnight lows in the teens. Take steps now to protect your pipes and home!

When the temperature drops below freezing (32°) allow your faucet(s) to drip. This will keep water moving through the pipe and help avoid freezing. Focus on faucets that are located along exterior walls or in unheated and/or uninsulated spaces. Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warmer air to circulate around the pipes.

Did You Know: 1,000 gallons of Greenville Water costs approximately $2.43. Dripping your faucet all day during freezing temperatures uses approximately one gallon of water, costing just pennies. The cost to fix a burst pipe starts around $400+

Other proven methods can help safeguard your home from frozen pipes:

ADD EXTRA INSULATION

• Pipes closest to exterior walls, uninsulated doors, windows, garages, attics or basements are the most susceptible to freezing. Wrap pipes with insulation (most common types are foam and fiberglass). This insulation can be found at most local hardware stores.

ELIMINATE DRAFTS

• Rid of cold drafts near water pipes.
• Make sure all doors and windows are tightly sealed. If you can see daylight through them, that means air is getting in.
• If you have a crawlspace, close your outside vents.

KEEP WARM AIR CIRCULATING

• Open cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate around pipes.
• Keep the doors to rooms where pipes are located open so that warm air can circulate, ensuring temperatures remain above freezing.
• If you are going to be away or on vacation, make sure your thermostat is set no lower than 55°F.

LET IT DRIP

• Keep a pencil-thin stream of water flowing from faucets. This will keep water moving through the pipe and help avoid freezing. You can drip this water into a bucket and then use it for your pets or plants

OUTDOOR FAUCETS

• Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses—this allows water to drain and helps prevent freezing.
• Cover your exterior hose bibs/spigots with insulated covers that can be purchased from your local home improvement store.

KNOW YOUR PLUMBING

• If your home has a master shutoff valve, familiarize yourself with its location and how to use it in the event of an emergency.

IF YOU HAVE A LEAK INSIDE YOUR HOME

• If pipes have frozen, turn on the faucet and wait until water begins flowing again.
• Water expands when it freezes, which can cause a pipe to leak or burst. If a leak is discovered, turn off the water supply to the home at the master shut-off valve and contact a plumber.