Protect Your Pipes in Winter
See tips for preventing frozen pipes and what to do if your pipes have frozen or broken
Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024
When winter temperatures are expected to be especially low, make sure you take steps to protect your pipes from freezing.
Some simple tricks to keep those pipes warmer include:
- Leaving cabinet doors open under sinks.
- Letting water drip slowly from the highest faucet if any pipes are in an unheated area.
- Making sure your water meter box cover is intact and closed.
Other actions include:
- Insulating pipes in unheated parts of your home.
- Using heating cables or tape or an incandescent light bulb to provide heat in unheated spaces.
- Closing foundation air vents and sealing openings where cold air could reach your pipes.
See additional tips as well as what to do if your pipes are frozen or have burst. Tip sheets and other cold weather resources are available on the town’s Ready Hillsborough page.
Be sure to report water line breaks and other water-related emergencies immediately by calling the Hillsborough Water Treatment Plant at 919-732-3621 and leaving a message. Call a plumber for pipes that break inside or under your house.
Related documents
Tips to Protect Pipes from Freezing (English and Spanish)
