Spokane Tribal Utilities/Solid Waste Department

COLD WEATHER

PUBLIC NOTICE

With the extremely low temperatures expected the next few days, we wanted to provide some tips on how to prevent frozen pipes and what to do if you encounter this problem.

How to Beat the Freeze

Once the temperature starts dropping outside, you should take measures inside to keep your pipes warm and water running. The “temperature alert threshold” is 20° F, especially if you have uninsulated pipes running through an uninsulated space.  Some of the steps experts recommend may go against your instincts of trying to save money on water and heating, but the extra expense is nothing compared with a hefty repair bill. Here are the recommendations:

• Keep garage doors closed – especially if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors– to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing, especially if your sinks are on an exterior wall.  If you have small children, be sure to remove any harmful cleaners and household chemicals.
• Let the cold water drip from a faucet served by exposed pipes – Running water through the pipe, even at a trickle helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature during day and night – During a cold snap is not the time to set back the thermostat to save a few bucks on your heating bill.
• Heat the house even when you are away – If you plan to be away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.
• Adding insulation to attics, basements, and crawl spaces – Insulation will maintain higher temperatures in those areas.

How to Thaw Frozen Pipes

If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, you may well have a frozen pipe. “If you suspect the pipes are frozen, be careful when thawing them out because if the pipe has already burst, the water will come flowing out and flood the house.

If a pipe has broken, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve, which is usually at the water meter or where the main line enters the house. If the water is still running and no pipes have burst, you can take the following steps (if you suspect a more serious problem, call a plumber).

• Heating – Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, or a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. As tempting as it may be, do not use a blowtorch, a kerosene or propane heater, a charcoal stove, or any device with an open flame.  The high heat can damage the pipes or even start a fire.  Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. Check all other faucets in your home to see whether you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.
• Turn on the faucet – As you heat the frozen pipe and the ice plug begins to melt, you want the water to be able to flow through. Running water through the pipe, as cold as it is, will help melt the ice in the pipe.

Call a licensed plumber if you are unable to locate or access the frozen area, or if you cannot thaw the pipe.