Frozen pipes can leave you without water and they can be costly to repair. But with a few simple steps, you can easily preserve both your budget and your peace of mind.
BEFORE THE COLD SETS IN
- Know where your main water shut-off valve is located.
- Turn off and drain your irrigation system.
- Eliminate sources of cold air near water pipes by fixing windows or insulating walls.
Protect exposed pipes by wrapping them with insulation, fabric or newspaper.
WHEN TEMPERATURES STAY BELOW FREEZING
- Let the snow cover your water meter. Snow acts as insulation, so don’t disturb it.
- Allow a small trickle of water to run overnight to keep pipes from freezing. Capture this in a container for watering indoor plants and other uses.
Open cabinet doors to let warm air in your home reach the pipes
IF YOUR PIPES FREEZE
- Shut off the water immediately.
- Thaw pipes with warm air, not direct heat. Avoid leaving space heaters unattended and avoid the use of kerosene heaters or open flames.
Turn the water back on slowly once pipes have thawed, and check for cracks and leaks.