If a pipe breaks, you won't want to have to find it then or, worse, wait for someone to arrive at your place to find it for you. In most single-family homes, the shut-off valve is in the basement or the crawl space, on a wall facing the street.

If you cannot operate your shut-off valve inside the building, you may need to have your plumber or GMWSD turn off the water at the curb valve near the street. Many valves cannot be operated because they have seized up over the years, or because they are inaccessible because the valve box is full of debris or out of line. Be sure your property has a curb valve, you know where it is, and the valve box is clear of debris, vertical and centered over the valve.

You'll thank yourself in the spring. The alternate freezing and thawing of water in the system can create cracks and weak spots, triggering silent underground leaks or mini-geysers.

Make sure the faucet and the outside portion of the pipes are fully drained. A valve inside many houses will shut off the water's flow; then open and close the tap outside to release any water in the pipe. Disconnect the hose to ensure that freeze-proof faucets will drain and to avoid damage to the hose from freezing water.

Significant property damage and water loss can occur before burst pipes are discovered in vacant buildings. If your vacant building has a fire protection system, make sure there is no danger that the water servicing this system might freeze.

Pipes close to exterior walls or in unheated basements can be wrapped with pieces of insulation. Don't overlook pipes near windows, which can quickly freeze. For particularly difficult pipes, consult a professional on how to select and apply heat tape. Pay special attention to indoor water meters. If the meter freezes, it can cause your basement to flood, and GMWSD will have to replace the meter (at your cost) before you will have water again. Caution: Improper use of heat tape can cause fires. Never put heat tape on the water meter to avoid damaging plastic components of the meter.

The natural flow of warmer air will help combat many problems.

Occasionally, plumbing is routed through this unheated space, leaving it vulnerable to winter's worst.

A very slow drip will keep water molecules moving, reducing the chance that pipes will freeze. Place a bucket underneath the faucet so the water can be saved for other household uses.

Thaw the pipe as soon as possible or call a plumber for help.

You don't want water suddenly gushing from the pipe when it thaws.

Remember: When thawing things, slower is better.

A hair dryer trained at the frozen area of the pipe is appropriate. A blow torch is not. See more tips on thawing a frozen water pipe.