How to Prevent Your Pipes from Bursting in Freezing Temperatures
By: Jenn Sullivan
Updated: January 18, 2013
With temperatures expected to dip into the single digits this weekend, the water department is warning residents how to prevent their pipes from bursting.
When temperatures dip below 32 degrees, pipes in your home can easily freeze , causing them to burst and flood.
Ace Hardware Manager, Ryan Lindner, said "When there's a lot of water present and temperatures drop, that's when you want to make sure to prevent the ice from building up. That's where the problems occur."
Beginning Sunday night into Monday morning, temperatures are expected to dip below zero, putting residents and their homes at a greater risk.
But there are several precautions you can take to prevent your pipes from bursting. First, keep the temperature in your home above 40 degrees.
Green Bay Water Utility General Manager, Nancy Quirk, recommends, "Open your faucets to a light trickle so there is water continuing to move through the pipes. If it's stagnant the water will freeze and if you have the water moving it will prevent that from freezing."
"If you keep a spot warm it's going to go out through the whole pipe as long as you keep a big enough area warm on that pipe," said Lindner.
Residents living in mobile homes are more susceptible to burst pipes because the pipes are located outside the home. So it's important to keep them heated and well insulated.
If your pipes do burst and cause flooding, turn off the water main and be sure to steer clear of electrical items.
Fire Marshal Lieutenant, Karl Linsmeier, warns "Water is a conductor of electricity so if water is spraying on your fuse box, or your breaker box, that's for the professionals to disconnect the electricity."
But there are warning signs residents should watch out for before a pipe bursts.
"You're losing pressure in the water, you're using the flow in your faucets, and you feel your fixtures are really cold," said Quirk.
If you have a burst pipe call Green Bay Water Utility at (920) 448-3480
For more tips to prevent pipes from bursting click here
