There are a number of steps residents can take to prevent their pipes from freezing, including letting their tap water drip overnight. People are also encouraged to cover up drafty windows and ensure the area around their water meter remains above 40 degrees.
Homeowners can also turn off their water valve from indoors while opening the outside hose bib. People should check their water flow and pressure before going to bed and when they wake up in the morning.
“There’s still time to take some steps to protect those spots where you have drafts coming in, or where you have exposed plumbing,” said water department spokesperson Brian Rademaekers. “Do a quick little audit around your house when you get the chance and find those cold areas, and think about, ‘Is there plumbing there that I could help keep warm?’”
When there’s no water coming out of the tap, residents should check with their neighbor — if their water is running, chances are it’s a plumbing issue, not a water main break, he said.
Residents who are experiencing frozen pipes should apply heat, such as a hair dryer, to the area around the pipes — not directly on the pipes — to allow the thawing water to drop out. Never apply a direct flame to a pipe.
Homeowners are responsible for their own internal plumbing repairs.
“Anyone who has accidentally left a can of beer in the freezer knows what can happen to that can. It’s the same thing that happens to your pipes — it expands and cracks,” Rademaekers said. “You won’t have water, but you also have a flooded basement or damage to your property and you can end up with thousands of dollars of damage.”
Customers should report leaks in the street to the water department’s 24/7 emergency hotline at 215-685-6300.