This past week has been a trying one in the sunny South. Temps here in Baton Rouge plunged into the teens overnight. Yeah, yeah, I know. To you Minnesotans that might call for a heavy sweater, but here, that's some serious chill and maybe even some burst pipes. Luckily we were able to get all our listing properly protected, including one vacant property on pier and beam that had exposed pipes.
The simple solution here is to keep a trickle of water running. Since the ground rarely freezes here that keeps +32 degree water in the pipes, so no freezing and no bursting. It can run up the water bill though.
If you're going to be gone during the time of a freeze and can't monitor the situation, then drain the system. If you don't mind getting your hands a bit dirty you can shut off the water at the street meter using T-handle shutoff tool available at most home centers and hardware stores. Just be aware that sometimes these street valves can be a "bear" to move. If you're lucky, you will have a shutoff valve at the house connection. No tools needed, just turn it off like a water faucet. Then open the inside faucets and unscrew the drain plug outside. It's just above the shutoff valve and looks like a tire valve stem cap. If there is no drain plug or house shutoff valve, then open the outside faucets to drain and be sure to insulate the portion of the pipe bteween the ground and the faucet since it will still have water in it.