Pipe Freeze Alert: Keep Your Water Flowing!
With the bitter cold temperatures expected over the next few days, it's critical to protect your pipes from freezing and bursting. A simple burst pipe can cause thousands of dollars in damage, but these few easy steps can help prevent it!
Protect Your Plumbing Tonight - Drip, Drip, Drip:
Let a slow, steady cold water trickle run from one or two faucets, especially those on an exterior wall. Moving water is less likely to freeze, and the trickle helps relieve pressure if a freeze does occur.
Open the doors to your kitchen and bathroom cabinets, especially those under sinks against outside walls. This allows warmer air from the room to circulate around the pipes. (Be sure to move any harmful cleaning supplies out of reach of children or pets!)
Disconnect and drain all outdoor hoses. If you have a separate shut-off valve for your exterior faucets, turn it off and open the outside faucet to allow water to drain from the line. Consider covering exterior spigots with insulated covers.
Set your thermostat to a consistent temperature, day and night. Do not set your home temperature lower than 55°F if you leave the house.
Turn off your main water supply immediately to prevent flooding if the pipe bursts upon thawing.
Keep the frozen faucet open.
Gently apply heat to the frozen section using a hairdryer, heating pad, or warm towels. NEVER use an open flame (like a blowtorch or kerosene heater).
If you can't locate the freeze or safely thaw it, call a licensed plumber.
Stay warm and safe, neighbors! Remember to check on elderly or vulnerable residents as well.