Preventing Frozen Pipes in Tennessee Homes

Homes in colder states are usually built with plumbing kept inside conditioned space. Much of Tennessee's housing stock runs supply lines through vented crawl spaces, garages and exterior walls instead.

A short, sharp cold snap is enough to freeze those runs, and the burst is often discovered only when the ice thaws and water begins to flow.

Crawl space piping near open vents, hose bibs left connected to a garden hose, garage and attic lines, and any run inside an uninsulated exterior wall.

Insulate exposed piping, disconnect hoses, close or block crawl space vents during hard freezes, keep the thermostat steady rather than setting back at night, and open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls.

Label your main shutoff so anyone in the household can close it quickly.