Frozen Water Pipes

Every winter season, the pipes in your home are at potential risk from freezing conditions. Here are some additional tips you can use to prevent this from happening to you.

• Service lines and internal plumbing are the responsibility of the homeowner. Check for plumbing leaks and make the necessary repairs. Detach all gardening hoses and shut-off water supply to outside faucets. Seal any leaks around doors and windows to reduce cold drafts and protect pipes. Wrap pipes nearest exterior walls or crawl spaces, especially interior pipes that run along outside walls with pipe insulation or heat tape. Open cabinet doors in the kitchen and bathroom to allow heat from the home to circulate. Allow a faucet to trickle (drip slightly) in order to minimize freezing. A sign of freezing pipe conditions is reduced water flow to a faucet. Warning: Do not use open flame to thaw pipes.