Frozen Pipes

STEPS TO PREVENT FROZEN PIPES


  • Make sure both hot and cold pipes are dripping slowly
  • Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to insulated areas
  • Do not set thermostat below 55 degrees
  • Keep doors ajar between heated and unheated rooms
  • Have your heating system checked and serviced


Going away for a period of time?

  • Shut off and drain your system. This may disable a home sprinkler system.
  • Contact your local water department to have water shut off at the street. There may be a service call fee, but it will prevent your house from flooding if a pipe bursts from the street to the house.
  • Ask a neighbor or friend to check house daily.


Long-term solutions

  • Insulate pipes in your home's crawl space or attic
  • Seal leaks that allow cold air to enter
  • Mark water shut off valves ahead of time


IF YOUR PIPES FREEZE


  • If no water comes out of faucets, leave open and call a plumber
  • If your pipes freeze, shut off water at main shut-off valve


THAWING OUT FROZEN PIPES


Shut off water at main shut-off and open faucet nearest to frozen pipes so it can drain as it thaws.


  • Never use a torch or open flame to thaw a pipe.
  • Caution: Do not use electrical appliances in areas of water due to possible electric shock hazard.


Do

  • Use the warm air from a hair dryer, starting as close to the faucet as possible
  • Wrap the length of pipe with a heating pad
  • Use a heat lamp (keep at least eight inches away from the surface)
  • Wrap pipe in rags and pour boiling water on it
  • Once the pipes are clear, turn off all faucets and check for leaks in the pipes.