When temperatures are consistently at or below freezing:

• If you do not live at your lake house full time and if you have pipes that are vulnerable to freezing, turn water off at the source and empty the pipes of residual water.
• If you live at the lake full time, be sure to allow your water to run very slowly to keep your pipes from freezing. Any movement of the water will help keep your lines from freezing during extreme cold weather.
• Open cabinet doors to expose pipes to warmer room temperatures to help keep them from freezing.

If your pipes freeze:

• Shut off the water immediately. Don't attempt to thaw frozen pipes unless the water is shut off. Freezing can often cause unseen cracks in pipes or joints.
• Apply heat to the frozen pipe by warming the air around it, or by applying heat directly to a pipe. You can use a hair dryer, space heater or hot water. Be sure not to leave space heaters unattended, and avoid the use of kerosene heaters or open flames.
• Once the pipes have thawed, turn the water back on slowly and check for cracks and leaks.