Pipes may freeze even if they are not exposed to outside air. In extremely cold weather, even pipes that run along exterior walls or through crawl spaces may freeze. Residents of mobile or modular homes are particularly susceptible to this problem.
There are steps you can take in advance to minimize the possibility of frozen pipes. Pipes may be insulated with foam rubber sleeves or fiberglass insulation. Pipes which run through unheated areas may also be wrapped with special heating strips before being insulated. Rather than providing passive protection, these strips use electricity to provide heat to potential problem areas. Do not fall into the trap of believing that your hot water lines can't freeze, they can. Insulate both cold and hot water pipes.
If you are caught in a cold streak and think that your pipes may be vulnerable, leave one of the faucets farthest from your water source open slightly. The running water will provide freeze protection. This is obviously a last resort, since even a small constant trickle can represent a waste of water, but it is much better than ruptured pipes.
If you have a faucet outside your home, it is best to have a turnoff valve in the line leading to the faucet. If you have such a valve (or if you install one), you can turn off the water at the inside valve during the winter. Then you can open the outside valve and drain the water. This provides a margin of safety, eliminating the possibility that water in the pipe will freeze in the area where it exits your house.http://www.daryldatus.com
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