Vulnerable pipes can freeze in temperatures of 20 degrees or lower.  In temperatures as low as we've seen here in Bend the last few days, more and more people are discovering, the hard way, which pipes are their most vulnerable.

If you've been lucky enough to avoid it so far, take a few moments now to identify where your home may be exposed and follow a few simple preventative steps to make sure you don't incur expensive damage from a frozen pipe that bursts.

First, identify your most vulnerable pipes. These are pipes which run through external walls.  If you have a kitchen sink that is against an exterior wall (perhaps under a window), the pipes could be vulnerable.  Water heater, washing machine, bathroom sink, anything that uses water will have pipes connected to it. Walk through your house and identify what is connected to pipes that run through an outside wall. 

Second, give the pipes you've identified as vulnerable a fighting chance.  If there is a cabinet under the sink, let it stand open so that the temperature in the cabinet will warm and keep the wall warmer. If your washing machine is in a hall closet or small laundry room w/out a heater vent, leave the door open.  You might be in the habit of keeping these doors closed to save on your heating bill, but this is not the time to worry about that.  The expense from a burst pipe far outweighs the extra cost of heating the closet. It is even suggested you allow your faucet to drip slowly to keep the water flowing, especially overnight during the bitter cold hours.