Frozen Pipes
STEPS TO PREVENT FROZEN PIPES
- Make sure both not and cold pipes are dripping slowly
- Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to insulated ares
- Do not set thermostat below 55 degrees
- Keep doors ajar between heated and unheated rooms
- Have your heating system checked and services
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 flooding if the pipe burst from the street to the house.
- Ask neighbor or friend to check house daily.
Long-term solutions
- Insulate pipes in your homes 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 a; length of pipe with a heating pad
- Use a heat lamp (keep at least eight inches 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.