However, what do you do if you experience a power outage and the outdoor temperature is below freezing? The further the temperature gets below freezing, the more likely there could be damage with freezing pipes. Freeze-ups typically occur when it is below 20° and windy.

The following is a step-by-step process to winterize your plumbing system:

1. Turn off the main water service valve (usually in the basement wall at the front of the home).

2. Turn off the gas valve on the water heater, or if an electric water heater, turn off the breaker that supplies power to it.

3. Connect a drain hose to the hose bib on the water heater and place the open end of the hose near a floor drain. Drain the tank.

4. Open all indoor faucets, both hot and cold sides. This includes sinks, lavatories, showers, and bathtub faucets. Unhook the washing machine hoses and open these two valves. NOTE: If you have water filters or a water softener, these will also need to be drained.

5. Flush all toilets which will drain most of the water out of the tanks. Pour some propylene glycol (antifreeze – not ethylene glycol which is toxic and used in cars) in the tanks to mix with the remaining water and pour about one pint of non-diluted antifreeze into each toilet bowl.

6. Pour propylene glycol into each drain trap in the home. These include sinks, lavatories, tubs, showers, and the washing machine discharge pipe.

Power outage reminders:

1. If you have a sump pump in your home, it is important to have a battery back-up to the sump pump which will activate, even if there is no power.

2. Infrared garage heaters run on natural gas without electricity. Any piping in the garage walls and ceilings will not freeze.