Protect your water pipes from freezing
Cold temperatures increase the risk of water pipes freezing and bursting—especially during prolonged periods of extreme cold. Frozen pipes can lead to costly damage and water service disruptions.
Here are some tips to help prevent frozen pipes in your home:
- Most water lines enter homes/buildings through the basement. Make sure that your basement temperature is at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas like basements, attics, and garages.
- Expose your pipes to warmer air by leaving your cabinet doors open under the kitchen and bathroom sinks to allow heat to enter those spaces.
- Seal cracks and openings around windows, doors, and foundation walls to reduce cold air infiltration.
- Monitor your water temperature. Water temperature should be around 45 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. If the temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit your service line may be freezing up.
- Let your water run continuously at a small stream the size of a pencil ( about 0.25 gallons per minute)
- Running water helps keep the line from freezing – but it must be at leas the size of a pencil stream. If the stream is too small, it might prevent freezing and will still use a lot of water.
The risk of frozen water service lines will persist until the extreme cold subsides and temperatures return to normal. Taking these precautions can help protect your home and avoid costly repairs.