Tips for Keeping Your Pipes from Freezing in the Winter

When water in your pipes freezes, it expands, creating pressure that can lead to burst pipes, costly repairs, and extensive water damage. Luckily, a few preventive steps can help you protect your pipes and avoid unexpected winter headaches. Here are some essential tips to keep your pipes from freezing this winter and ensure your home stays safe and warm.

1. Insulate Your Pipes

Exposed pipes in unheated areas, such as basements, attics, and crawl spaces, are especially vulnerable to freezing. By adding insulation around these pipes, you can provide a barrier against the cold. Foam pipe insulation sleeves, heat tape, or fiberglass wrap are affordable and effective options for keeping pipes warm and reducing the risk of freezing.

2. Keep the Heat On

Even if you’re leaving your home for an extended period, don’t turn off the heat. Set your thermostat to at least 55°F to ensure a consistent, warm environment. This can help prevent any drastic temperature drops that could freeze your pipes.

3. Seal Cracks and Openings

Cold air can seep into your home through small cracks and openings around windows, doors, and walls, making it easier for pipes to freeze. Walk around your home and seal any gaps near where pipes run through walls or floors. Caulk or weather stripping can be effective in keeping the cold out and protecting your pipes.

4. Open Cabinet Doors

Pipes under kitchen and bathroom sinks can get especially cold, particularly if they’re along exterior walls. Opening cabinet doors allow warm air from the room to circulate the pipes, reducing the risk of freezing.

5. Let Faucets Drip

On extremely cold nights, let your faucets drip slightly. This small movement of water through the pipes can prevent them from freezing. Moving water is less likely to freeze than still water, so a slight trickle can make a big difference.

6. Disconnect Outdoor Hoses

Leaving hoses connected to outdoor faucets can lead to ice formation that can back up into your plumbing system, causing pipes to burst. Be sure to disconnect and store hoses before the first freeze, and turn off any exterior faucets for extra protection.

7. Know Where Your Shut-Off Valve Is

In case a pipe does freeze or burst, you’ll need to act quickly to minimize damage. Locate your main water shut-off valve and make sure everyone in the household knows where it is. Being able to turn off the water promptly can save you from significant water damage.

Winter Pipe Protection Checklist

For quick reference, here’s a handy checklist to keep your pipes protected all winter:

Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas
Keep the heat on, even when away
Seal cracks and openings
Open cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate
Let faucets drip on extremely cold nights
Disconnect outdoor hoses
Know the location of your main shut-off valve

Taking these simple steps now can save you from the stress and expense of dealing with frozen or burst pipes during the winter months. Protect your home and enjoy the season worry-free by making pipe care a part of your winter routine.

Reach out to Bovio Rubino Service today at (856) 272-7000 to learn more.

Through a Competitive Application Process South Jersey Rising Juniors and Seniors Selected for Exposure to Careers, Entrepreneurship and Wellness

The Bovio Rubino Service Young Women’s Leadership Conference takes place on Wednesday, July 15 at the HVAC and Plumbing Services company’s headquarters in Voorhees.

The 13 South Jersey young women selected to attend the Conference are all rising juniors and seniors at local high schools. They completed applications and were chosen through a competitive process. At the Conference they will gain exposure to career paths, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, problem solving and mind and body wellness. A community service project benefitting Cathedral Kitchen in Camden is also planned.

Subject matter experts presenting at the Young Women’s Leadership Conference in addition to Hines include CEO of ACCU Staffing Elaine M. Damm, Senior Investment Manager at Aberdeen plc Zoe McCormick, Jennifer Nagle, Vice President of External Affairs and Special Projects, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, Senior Product Manager at SimpliSafe Molly Nugiel, Founder of Higher Minds Laura Rubino and Dr. Barbara Winfield, owner of Family Practice Associates of Voorhees.

After being named one of the top 12 Women in HVAC in America in 2025 by ACHR News, Hines made advancing young women the Bovio Rubino Service community case for 2026. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) women made up 1.5 percent of HVAC mechanics and installers in 2021. Even fewer women own and run HVAC and Plumbing service companies independently. Hines had few women role models coming up in the business.

“I want to give young women every opportunity for success as they advance in life, both in their careers and as citizens,” Hines, a Mom of two daughters in college and high school, said. “As the owner of a thriving, independent, family-owned business in South Jersey, it’s my way of paying it forward. We are very busy designing the Conference ensuring it will have high impact on the young women in attendance.”

The Bovio Rubino Service Young Women’s Leadership Conference is the program highlight of the HVAC and Plumbing Service company’s 2026 community cause “LeadHERship in ’26” which advances opportunities for young women through career readiness, entrepreneurship, community betterment and a personal health and wellness mindset.

About Bovio Rubino Service
Mom-owned and values-driven, since 1974 Bovio Rubino Service is family-owned and independently operated. Driven by accountability and principles, Bovio Rubino Service promises to treat its customers with honesty and integrity while providing South Jersey homeowners with high-quality HVAC and Plumbing products and service including installation, maintenance and repairs. With morals and good manners, we take care of our customers with highly skilled technicians, always striving to do what is right with unequaled passion. For additional information, contact Lisa Simon of SPRYTE Communications, lsimon@sprytecom.com, 856.857.6555 x22 or visit Bovio Rubino Service.

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