Step-by-step guide on how to master flushing your hot water heater.
As seen on WRAL TV News & WRAL.com
Raleigh-Durham (The Triangle) NC & Greenville-Spartanburg (Upstate) SC
Prevent Frozen & Burst Pipes in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, Holly Springs, Greenville, Spartanburg, Simpsonville, Greer & surrounding areas
Every winter Modern Plumbing and Backflow gets 100+ emergency calls the morning after the first hard freeze. This page exists so you’re NOT one of them.
1. Shut Off and Drain Outdoor Faucets (Hose Bibs) – #1 Cause of Freezes
- Frost-Free Sillcocks (most homes built after ~1995) → Find the indoor shut-off valve → Turn OFF → Open outdoor faucet → Leave OPEN all winter
- Regular/Non-Frost-Free Hose Bibs (older homes) → Same steps + install insulated hose bib cover
No indoor shut-off valve? Remove the hose immediately and add a cover — but call us today to add proper shut-offs + upgrade to frost-free sillcocks (usually under 1 hour). Raleigh-Durham: (919) 341-1911 | Greenville-Spartanburg: (864) 979-4050
2. Remove or Protect Backflow Preventers (PVB / RPZ)
These devices crack or explode when they freeze — even once.
Recommended: Remove the entire assembly (2–3 minutes, no tools) and store indoors until spring.
If you don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself, please call us — we can do it for you. Raleigh-Durham: (919) 341-1911 Greenville-Spartanburg: (864) 979-4050
3. Disconnect & Store All Garden Hoses
A hose left attached = guaranteed freeze inside the hose bib.
4. Insulate Exposed Pipes in Crawl Spaces, Garages & Attics
Best materials:
- ¾″ closed-cell foam sleeves + foil tape
- Self-regulating heat cable on pipes that have frozen before
- Close crawl-space vents when temps drop below 25 °F
5. Pro Tip: Pipes Inside Walls You Can’t See – When an Arctic Blast Hits NC/SC
Simple trick every Southern plumber swears by: Leave faucets on exterior walls dripping 1 drip every 3–5 seconds
- Moving water can be 20–30 °F colder before freezing (rivers vs lakes)
- Do both hot & cold lines
- Open cabinet doors under sinks
- Costs pennies vs $5k–$20k in repairs
Start dripping when overnight lows are forecast below 15 °F for 6+ hours.
6. Test Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve NOW
A seized valve = a flood you can’t stop. Test it annually.
Printable Freeze-Prevention Checklist
- Locate & test main water shut-off valve
- Shut off & drain all hose bibs
- Remove garden hoses
- Install insulated hose bib covers
- Remove or protect backflow preventer
- Insulate crawl-space/garage pipes
- Know which faucets are on exterior walls (for dripping)
Local Freeze Records
- Raleigh-Durham: -9 °F (2014), 0 °F (2018), 4 °F (2022)
- Greenville-Spartanburg: -6 °F (2014), 2 °F (2022)
Need It Done Fast & Right?
Modern Plumbing and Backflow – Licensed, insured, 5-star rated Same-day / next-day appointments all winter
Raleigh-Durham-Cary-Chapel Hill-Wake Forest-Holly Springs-Fuquay-Varina Call/Text: (919) 341-1911
Greenville-Spartanburg-Simpsonville-Greer-Mauldin-Fountain Inn Call/Text: (864) 979-4050
Book 24/7 at moderbackflow.com
Don’t wait for the “feels like -5 °F” alert. One quick call now saves the nightmare later.
Stay warm, Triangle & Upstate! – The Modern Plumbing and Backflow Team
