How to Avoid Frozen Pipes When Temperatures Drop

December 23, 2022

Frozen pipes lead to bust pipes, and burst pipes can lead to flooding and water damage. And both hot and cold pipes can burst. All of this can be avoided by a few simple steps.

Temps are dropping in Virginia and this coming weekend they will be in the teens for Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads area. Just in time for Christmas-yikes! Don't worry, though, frozen pipes are no cause to freeze in your tracks. Meg Savell, GM over here at A-1 American has some tips to help make sure you DON'T need to call us for this reason.

Wrap your outdoor spigots -

First, disconnect your spigot, and then wrap it. You can use anything to wrap it but old t-shirts and towels from the garage are usually the go-to. Wrap them up tight. And when we say tight, you want to make sure there is no air circulation. After you do this, wrap them tightly again with plastic bags. If you don't have garbage bags, a plastic bag from the grocery store will do. Last, but not least, wrap the plastic bag with masking or duct tape. There are covers you can buy specifically for this purpose too.

2. Disconnect and drain your water hoses -

Most people are so worried about the inside of the house, they don't think abut the outside of the house—i.e. your water hose(s). These can freeze too, and if you don't disconnect them, any water that's inside the hose will expand. This will damage your hose and could also cause your valves to leak.

3. Drip your faucets -

This is the tried and true method of water pipe prevention. You probably saw your parents do this when you were a child. It doesn't have to be a steady stream as long as its a steady drip. Believe us, a slightly higher water bill is a small price to pay for not having your pipes burst.

4. Open your cupboards -

Another one of your grandparents go-to's for pipe prevention, and there is a reason why its time tested and approved—it works. Just opening your cabinets up to expose them to the warmer air hopefully circulating in your house will add enough warmth to prevent them from freezing. Just make sure you remove any cleaners or toxic chemicals from underneath if you have pets or kids.

For any other pipes that are in exposed areas, try using heat tape. This can be found at your local hardware store. This is especially true for trailer and/or mobile homes, but houses can most certainly benefit as well.

Using these guidelines will almost certainly keep you from having to make a call when the mercury drops this weekend or later in the winter season, but if you forget or don't take these steps which results in a pipe damage, please don't hesitate to give us a call. We have technicians standing by throughout the week and weekend ready to help!

Meg had the opportunity to sit down with WAVY 10, and talk over a few of these points on the Hampton Roads Show. To see the clip and learn more about preventing frozen pipes in the Virginia Beach and greater Hampton Roads area click here!

And remember, we're not just A-1, we're A-1 American. Proudly serving ghe Hampton Roads area for over 30 years!

Call 757-425-2400

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Happy Labor Day weekend graphic with tools and American flag.

Happy Labor Day from A-1 American Services!

September 1, 2025

First, a little background on Labor Day and how it came to play into American history. Labor Day is celebrated to honor the contributions and achievements of American workers and the labor movement. It recognizes the role of workers in building the strength, prosperity, and well-being of the country. The Holiday began in the late 19th century, during a time when working conditions were often harsh—long hours, unsafe workplaces, and little time off were common. Labor unions pushed for better conditions, fair wages, and reasonable workdays. The first Labor Day parade took place in New York City in 1882, organized by the Central Labor Union. In 1894, after years of growing support and following major labor strikes, Congress officially made Labor Day a federal holiday. It’s observed on the first Monday in September, serving both as a tribute to workers and as a symbolic “end of summer” celebration. Not to be confused with International Workers’ Day which is celebrated May 1st worldwide and focuses more on activism and workers’ rights, Labor Day focuses more as a tribute to workers with family time, picnics, parades, and community events like our concer series at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Hampton Roads -- which encompasses the Penninsula (Williamsburg, Newport News, and Hampton) AND South Side (Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, and Suffolk) has always been a working community, from the shipbuilders at Newport News Shipbuilding, to the longshoremen at the Port of Virginia, to the military and civil service workers who keep our bases running. Labor Day really ties into that history because it’s a reminder of how much the region’s workforce has shaped the local economy and even national security. For many families here, Labor Day is also (for the lucky) the last long weekend before school starts, so you’ll see people heading to the beach at Virginia Beach, picnicking at local parks, or attending community events. It’s both a recognition of hard work and a chance for people in Hampton Roads to pause, recharge, and enjoy the fruits of their labor before the busy fall season kicks in. From the A-1 American Services family to yours... Please have a safe and happy Labor Day!! And if you find you need help with any clogs, water heater leaks, HVAC hiccups, clooged toilets our guys are standing by ready to help you and your family at a moments notice!