There's a lot more to what goes on in your home than that and one of the foundations of the entire system are the pipes behind the walls and under the home.
It's important in winter you understand what to do when these pipes freeze. Of course the best case scenario is to have all of the pipes inside some kind of huge structure like a garage or basement but that can't always be the case. That said, here's a few tips on what you can do so that frozen pipes don't become an emergency situation.
First of all you can try being a little proactive by keeping a thin trickle of water flowing through any pipes where possible so they don't have a chance to freeze. If you find in spite of your best efforts a section of your pipe has frozen anyway, you can aim a small heater or lamp at the affected section until it heats up enough to melt the water inside.
It's important to keep in mind that insulation is a good idea but insulation without the right kind of heat tape won't get you the desired result. It's a good idea to have the phone number of a qualified licensed plumber on hand as well because these experts can give you an overall appraisal of the areas in your home that are most susceptible to having the pipes freeze.
Here's a low-cost solution that you can try when you find some of the pipes in your house have frozen anyway. By wrapping the affected area in rags you can then pour hot water over the top until the pipe thaws.
It's a good idea to have qualified personnel take a look at all the pipes in your home and you might be surprised what you find in them and as well as the ones that run underneath for the water services and sewers. Professionals often have video inspection equipment they can snake down through the pipes and locate any troubled areas like spots where a tree root might have grown through causing a blockage.
Winter plumbing tips on pipes
