Life Hack: How to prevent your pipes from freezing during a cold snap

Burst pipes can cause expensive damage and leave families vulnerable at one of the busiest times of the year for callouts and repairs

Adding insulation is one of the simplest and cheapest ways to protect your home. Fitting foam tubing or pipe wrap around any exposed pipes helps them retain heat and creates a barrier against freezing temperatures. File photo

January got off to a freezing start — low temperature warnings are a common alert at this time of year.

During cold snaps like these, many homes are unfortunately ill-prepared for the consequences and, as a result, pipes can burst, causing expensive damage and leaving families vulnerable at one of the busiest times of the year for callouts and repairs.