Steps you can take to help prevent frozen water pipes
Preparing for winter temperatures:
- Know where the main water shutoff valve is in your home in case of a break. Label the shutoff valve and inform others in your family or business of its location in case of an emergency. Slowly open and close the valve to ensure that it is working properly (inform others in the building when shutting the valve as it will temporarily shut off the water supply). If the valve isn’t working properly, contact a plumber to have it fixed.
- Insulate around water pipes wherever possible, especially in unheated areas such as attics and crawl spaces. If you use electric pipe warmers or heat tape, they should be listed and tested by an independent testing laboratory and installed per manufactures instructions.
- Disconnect garden hoses from outside water spigots. Check to see if the water pipe leading to the outdoor faucet has an indoor shut off valve. If so, shut it off and drain any water in the pipe between the indoor shutoff and outside faucet.
- Properly seal any leaks that let cold air in, especially leaks or openings near water pipes. Inspect all openings on the outside of your home or business such as electrical outlets and water spigots to ensure they are properly sealed. If openings are found, seal them with the appropriate material.
- Keep your garage door closed when not in use.
When extreme freezing temperatures are expected:
- Leave cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate underneath cabinets or into concealed areas that contain water pipes that are near exterior walls.
- Leaving a trickle of hot and cold water running in several faucets may allow enough water to move and prevent the pipes from freezing.
Leaving your home or business unoccupied for a few days:
- Don’t turn your thermostat down too low. Keeping it at 55 degrees or above is a good rule of thumb.
- If you will be gone for a long period of time, or if you will be gone several days and extremely cold temperatures are predicted, consider closing your main shut off valve and draining the water system in your home or business. Be sure to consult the operating instructions of your hot water heater for what to do if you turn off the water supply.
- Consider having someone check on your home or business while you are gone and make sure they know where the main shut off valve is in case of an emergency.
If you have frozen pipes:
If you do have frozen or busted pipes or suspect frozen pipes, leave the faucets on and turn off the main shut off valve for the home or business. Call a licensed plumber to take care of the situation properly.