Try These Tips To Help Keep Pipes From Freezing, Bursting During Cold Temperatures

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Overnight temperatures are forecast to dip below freezing this week, so the county's department of public works' bureau of utilities suggests residents take the following steps to keep pipes from freezing and potentially bursting.

Water pipes located in a crawlspace or on an outside wall are subjected to sub-freezing temperatures, as are pipes located in a garage, attic or any other unheated building. To help combat this problem and reduce the probability of pipes freezing and bursting, do the following:

• Wrap or insulate exposed pipes susceptible to low temperatures.
• Utilize other devices, such as UL-approved heat tape, to help keep pipes from freezing.
• Leave hot and cold water dripping the thickness of a pencil on nights when temperatures dip below 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Some pipes, such as those located in cabinets or vanities, and situated against an outside wall may be insulated but may be likely to freeze. It is a good practice to leave cabinet/vanity doors open to allow heat in the room to keep pipes warm and prevent freezing.

Also try these steps to avoid a water leak and damage:

• Turn off the inside water valve for any outside hose bib connections and open the outside hose bib to drain the line.
• Know where your home’s inside main water cutoff valve is and check that it is functional by hand. In case of a leak, this valve will turn off water flow coming into the home and thereby limit costly water damage.
• Seal any air leaks that allow icy blasts to reach pipes.
• For homes with crawl spaces, close outside air vents located in the foundation wall during extremely cold temperatures to keep exposed plumbing from freezing.
• Heating costs are driven by outside temperatures and home thermostat settings. It is a false economy to allow inside temperatures to fall below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This creates risk of frozen pipes and it increases energy consumption when trying to restore interior temperature.
• If you are going on an extended vacation, turn off your incoming water service valve, drain water lines from upper levels to the lower level. Otherwise set your thermostat to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit or above.

To help keep county fire hydrants from freezing and help prevent street flooding, residents are asked to shovel snow away from hydrants in their neighborhood that are covered or obstructed by snow, as well as keep debris and snow, away from stormwater runoff drains in the roadway.

If your pipes do freeze, open the cold water faucet nearest the frozen pipe to relieve pressure. Then, use a gentle heat source, such as a light bulb or hair dryer, to thaw the pipe. Do not use an open flame, the department said.