Electric heating cables are the most feasible way to thoroughly protect pipes running through unheated areas such as basements, crawlspaces and garages.

However, a refrigerator stored in an unheated area (at about 35 F) will not run if the interior thermostat is fooled into thinking its cold enough.

It is also possible to protect water supply lines in unheated areas by using foam insulation designed to fit snugly on the pipe.

This involves working overhead from inside the unheated area.

To minimize the risk, most household water pipes are deliberately situated away from unheated areas.

To minimize the risk, most household plumbing is deliberately installed away from unheated areas.

Pipes that cannot be drained and run through unheated or poorly heated areas must be protected.

Fortunately plumbing in most homes is situated away from unheated areas.

That "somewhere else," Mr. Lyon said, is typically from unheated areas of the house - like the basement or attic.

But pipes that run through a crawl space, basement, utility room, garage or other unheated area are exposed to the cold and therefore more likely to freeze up.