Freezing Water Pipes In Your Home

Some of our neighbors in Encore have experienced freezing of their water pipes when temperatures have dropped into the low 20s and teens. If not addressed, frozen water pipes can burst and flood your home. Here are the steps you can take to reduce the chances of this happening to you.

Outside Water Faucets – Most homes have at least one outside water faucet and some have two. Some, but not all, have a shut off valve, inside the house, for these outside faucets. The shutoff valve, if labeled, is called a “Hose Bib Shutoff.”

For those with a Bib Shutoff, first go outside and open the faucet(s) and then, in your house, turn off the Bib Shutoff valve. (The valve handle is in the off position when it is perpendicular to the pipe.) Opening the outside faucet(s) first, allows the pipe to drain after you have turned off the Bib Valve. Many of the homes have this valve in the front hall clothes closet. If you cannot locate yours, ask your neighbors if they know where theirs are.

As added protection or if you don’t have a Bib Shutoff, you can purchase an inexpensive cover for your outside faucets from a local hardware store, such as Ace, or from Lowe’s or Home Depot.

Bathroom Sinks – Many of the houses in Encore have bathroom water pipes that run through exterior walls. These are susceptible to freezing and then bursting. To reduce the likelihood of freezing, open the cabinet doors under the sinks in your bathrooms and open the faucets to allow a small drip. Leave the doors open and allow the faucets to drip until the outside temperature rises to at least 30 degrees.