Hard-freeze heads-up to protect your pipes

A fall pipe-prep checklist, then a text the evening a freeze is forecast: drip the faucet, open the cabinets, keep the heat steady.

What it does

Water expands as it freezes and can break metal or plastic pipes. The American Red Cross says the pipes that freeze most often are outdoor hose spigots, pool and sprinkler lines, pipes in unheated spaces like basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages and kitchen cabinets, and pipes along poorly insulated outside walls. Before cold weather: drain sprinkler and pool lines as the installer directs, disconnect and store hoses, close the inside valve to each outdoor spigot and leave the outside tap open to drain, and insulate exposed pipes. On very cold nights: keep the garage door closed, open sink cabinet doors (moving cleaners up out of kids' reach), let cold water drip from a faucet on exposed pipes, keep the thermostat the same day and night, and if you're away, leave the heat on at no lower than 55°F. Your bot sends that fall checklist once, then checks the National Weather Service forecast and texts you the evening a freeze is coming. If a faucet only trickles, it walks you through the Red Cross thaw steps: never an open flame, and call a licensed plumber if you can't find or reach the frozen spot.

Copy-paste prompt

Be my frozen-pipe helper, using the American Red Cross "Frozen pipes" guidance and the National Weather Service forecast for [my city or ZIP].

My home: [house / apartment / mobile home]. Pipes I know are exposed: [crawl space / garage / outside kitchen wall / not sure]. Outdoor spigots: [number]. Sprinkler system or pool: [yes / no].

1. Once in [mid-October], send a one-time fall checklist from the Red Cross:
   - Drain sprinkler and pool supply lines following the installer's directions (no antifreeze unless they say so).
   - Disconnect, drain and store garden hoses. Close the inside valve to each outdoor spigot and leave the outside tap open so it can drain.
   - Look for water lines in unheated spots (garage, crawl space, attic, under sinks on outside walls) and add pipe insulation sleeves or UL-listed heat tape where needed.
   Let me check items off; remind me once a week until it's done.
2. Each afternoon from [November through March], check the NWS forecast. If tonight's low is [28]°F or colder, or NWS issues a Freeze Warning for my area, text me by [5 PM]:
   - Drip cold water from [the faucet on the outside wall].
   - Open kitchen and bathroom sink cabinet doors (move cleaners up out of kids' reach).
   - Keep the garage door closed.
   - Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night tonight.
   - Cover tender plants or bring potted ones inside.
3. If I'm traveling during cold weather, remind me to leave the heat on at 55°F or higher.
4. If I tell you a faucet only trickles, give me the Red Cross thaw steps: keep the faucet open; warm the pipe with a hair dryer, an electric heating pad or towels soaked in hot water (a space heater only if kept away from anything flammable); never a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, or any open flame; check the other faucets; call a licensed plumber if I can't find, reach or thaw it.

Keep texts under 6 lines. Never change my thermostat or smart-home devices.