"When temperatures hit below 20 degrees Fahrenheit and stay there for an extended period of time, there's a quick tip that home cooks can rely on to keep their kitchens in good working order all winter long: Simply open your under-the-sink cabinet doors at night, especially those attached to an outside wall. As it freezes, water trapped inside your pipes hardens and expands, filling the pipe with intense pressure that can create a crack at your pipe's weakest point."
"Opening the cabinet doors allows the air from your radiators or central heating vents to circulate around the pipes under your sink. Blocked behind the doors, cold air can fill the space and get trapped, putting your pipes in peril - particularly if your kitchen sink sits against an outside-facing wall in your house or apartment building. Even if it feels warm at the kitchen table, the story could be very different within an outside-facing cabinet."
Open the cabinets under the kitchen sink at night when temperatures drop below 20°F for extended periods so warm indoor air from radiators or vents can circulate around exposed pipes. Warm circulation reduces the chance of water trapped in pipes freezing, expanding, and creating pressure that can crack pipes. Older homes and outside-facing walls are especially vulnerable to freeze damage. Burst pipes can cause costly water damage to floors and cabinetry and may not be covered by insurance. For pipes running through garages, attics, or other unheated spaces, use heat tape or foam pipe insulation. Stock the freezer and pantry with canned foods for potential deep freezes.
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