Cold Weather Plumbing Tips
As temperatures reach freezing, close all air vents and other openings in the crawl space under your house. (Note: Monitor temperature and open one or two vents in warmer weather for ventilation.)
• In freezing weather, never set your home's thermostat below 55 degrees.
• Insulate pipes prone to freezing, such as those near an outside wall; those in unheated areas of your home; or any exposed plumbing such as outside faucets. In an emergency, several layers of newspapers or rags can be used for temporary insulation.
• Keep your water meter box covered with its lid to prevent the meter from freezing during cold periods.
• In extremely cold weather, leave cabinet doors under sinks open to keep warm air circulating.
• If temperatures are expected to fall below 20 degrees, leave water dripping slowly from faucets.
• Be sure you know where your master valve is located so you can turn your home's water off temporarily if a line does break. In most homes, this valve will be located near the water heater, near the clothes washer, or where the water service line enters your home.
If Your Pipes Freeze:
Open the cold water faucet nearest the freeze to relieve pressure and reduce the likelihood of breakage
Use a hair dryer (set on low), heat lamp, or light bulb to gradually warm and thaw the frozen pipe. Too much heat in one spot, however, can burst the pipe so be sure heat is evenly distributed over a large area of the pipe. Be extremely cautious when using any electrical appliance to thaw a pipe - the appliance could become wet, increasing your danger of electrocution.
DO NOT use a blow torch or any type of flame to thaw a frozen line. Not only is there a danger of fire, extreme heat could thaw the pipe too rapidly, causing it to burst and resulting in potential injury.
If you cannot locate the freeze and there is no water coming from any tap, there is a chance that your service line or your meter is frozen. If your meter is not frozen, it is likely that the service line to your home is frozen. In this case, since all lines on your side of the meter box are the property owner's responsibility, you may need the assistance of a plumber.
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