The Fix-It Playbook — How to Keep Your Pipes from Freezing

A burst pipe is the most expensive thing that happens to a house in winter — and one of the cheapest to prevent. An afternoon and about $40 of foam covers every pipe that's actually at risk.

Inside: Step 1: Find the pipes that will actually freeze · Step 2: Know your number · Fix A: Insulate the runs you can reach · Fix B: The cold-snap routine · Fix C: Leaving town in winter · If a pipe is already frozen · The honest cost comparison · When to stop and call a pro · Troubleshooting · Printable cold-snap checklist.

Doing it yourself: foam sleeves, bib covers and tape run $30–80 for a whole house, and it's one afternoon.

Calling a pro: $150–400 to insulate the exposed runs.

8 pages of labeled diagrams, parts lists and real numbers — no filler, no 40-minute video. Temperatures and measurements in both Fahrenheit/Celsius and feet/meters, so it works wherever you are. Ends with a printable checklist.

Instant PDF download: print it for the garage or follow it on your phone with the parts in hand. Yours to keep, no subscription.

Need more than this one job? The Freeze-Proof Plumbing Kit bundles all 5 winter plumbing guides — 35 pages — for $14.