Frozen Water Pipes

How to Avoid or Fix Frozen Pipes

In extreme sub-zero temperatures, Public Works responds to many calls for frozen pipes.  Lower lake water temperatures combined with cold air movement around plumbing fixtures can create freezing in water lines. Under these conditions, water can freeze in the lines in just a couple of hours.

What To Do If Your Pipes Freeze:
Shut off the water immediately. Do not attempt to thaw frozen pipes unless the water is shut off. Freezing can often cause unseen cracks in pipes or joints.

• Apply heat to the frozen pipe by warming the air around it, or by applying heat directly to a pipe. You can use a hair dryer, space heater or hot water. Be sure not to leave space heaters unattended, and avoid the use of kerosene heaters or open flames.
• Once the pipes have thawed, turn the water back on slowly and check for cracks and leaks.

When you are away:

• Have a friend, relative or neighbor regularly check your property to ensure that the heat is working and the pipes have not frozen.
• Also, a freeze alarm can be purchased for less than $100 and will call a user-selected phone number if the inside temperature drops below 45 degrees.