As winter draws ever closer, it’s time to batten down the hatches and prepare for the cold months. As you put on storm windows and rake leaves, don’t forget to consider your pipes.

Pipes can freeze up on you when outside temperatures drop below 20 degrees. And when they freeze, they can rupture, which can result in damage to your home and costly repairs. But don’t worry — this video will tell you all you need to know about protecting your pipes. It suggests ways to prevent pipes from freezing, most involving wrapping the pipes in various types of insulation. It also tells you what to do if your pipes have already frozen: it turns out you can defrost them with ordinary household items such as aluminum foil and a hair dryer. Just make sure you know how to turn the water supply off in case the pipe ruptures.

Do you have any frozen pipe horror stories? Or any tricks to prevent them? Let us know.