Insulate bare water pipes running through crawl space, attic, basement or other accessible places. Besides helping to prevent freezing, which could cause the pipes to burst, insulation keeps the water in hot-water lines hotter, saving energy and helps prevent condensation on cold-water lines in the summer.
Pick up foam insulating tubes at your local hardware store. Measure the diameter of your pipes before you shop. To install, open the lengthwise slit on the tube and slip it over the pipe. If there’s a crease but no slit, carefully cut along the crease first. Some types come with tape attached to seal over the slit once the tube is in place. The foam tubing can be cut with scissors if required.
Turn off/ close all exterior hose bibs valves. If you have a frost-free hose bib make sure any attached garden or other hoses are removed so they can fully drain.