Here's How To Avoid Frozen Water Pipes

The weather forecast calls for some of the coldest temperatures in a number of years to occur over the next few days. Extreme cold outside can lead to frozen pipes inside your home. To guard against frozen pipes, the North Reading Water Department recommends residents take the following steps:

1. Make sure there are no locations in your home where the water pipes are exposed to freezing temperatures. Locations such as under a cellar window, along outside walls or in closets, cabinets or under the stairs (in the case of split entry homes) are likely candidate locations for the cold air to collect and where pipes can freeze under these low temperatures. Opening doors to allow warmer air into these cold locations, insulating pipes and providing heat tape in cold locations will all help prevent frozen pipes. The key is to protect the pipes from being exposed to freezing temperatures.

2. Keep the water moving by allowing several faucets to drip slowly. Frozen pipes typically occur when there is little to no water use. As the water sits in the pipes in cold locations, it can freeze over time. Allowing the water to move slowly through your pipes can help prevent frozen pipes.

If you do experience frozen pipes, locating the cold spot and providing a slow warming of the pipes is the proper method to resolve this situation. Never use a torch or other source of flame to heat the pipes. Quickly heating the pipes can lead to burst piping, and flames can start fires. If you need assistance in thawing frozen pipes, call your plumber.