Stuart Watkins
Arizona residents may not know how easy it is to defend your home from frozen pipes bursting when the weather dips below freezing, and it does happen.
First, when the weather is in the 30s, ensure your water hoses are disconnected from the outside spigots.
If water is in the hose and it freezes, it is likely to go up into the walls of your home and possibly freeze and burst the pipes.
If your outside water pipes have not been wrapped with insulation tape, you can do it yourself or hire a local handyman to do this for you.
Insulation cups can be bought at most local hardware stores such as Ace, Lowe’s, and The Home Depot. Sometimes supplies that have been bought out can only be ordered, which may not help you.
The large insulation “hood” goes over the water pipes near the front or side of your house.
Insulation cups are easy to use and durable. Mine have lasted many years, and I keep a few spare cups in case one gets broken or the rubber “ears” snap after too many uses.
Pull the rubber ears out of the cup and slip the ears over the fixture. Cinch the round rubber disk against the cup and pull the cup tightly against the wall. You now have a first-rate defensive line against the freeze that will attempt to burst your pipes.
Remember to prepare before the freeze and not regret waiting until it’s too late.