How to Deal with Frozen Pipes

9/1/2020 (Permalink)

Now that the colder temperatures are approaching us all on the Central Coast area (hard to believe in this heat), it is worth remembering some of the effects that winter weather has on our home.

The cold weather affects us all in one way or another, and our home as well. SERVPRO of Morro Bay / King City would like to offer the tips below to help you prevent frozen water pipes.

How to Deal with Frozen Pipes

• Disconnect and drain garden hoses.
• Cover outside faucets with insulating foam covers.
• Turn off water to outside faucets, if available, and open valves on faucets to allow them to drain.
• Turn off sprinkler system and blow compressed air through the lines to drain them.
• Close or cover foundation vents under house and windows to basements.
• Close garage doors.
• Insulate exposed pipes (both hot and cold) under house with foam pipe insulation.
• Open cabinet doors under sinks.
• Drip hot and cold faucets in kitchen and bath. Drip single control faucets with lever set in middle.
• Set ice maker to make ice if the water line to it runs under the house.
• Don’t forget to check on pipes to your washing machine in the laundry room
• Locate water main cut-off valve, and have a cut-off key handy.
• Use a hair dryer, heat lamp, electric heat tape, or a portable space heater to thaw frozen pipes that have not burst.
• Keep the faucet open when thawing frozen pipes to allow water to begin flowing through it.
• After the weather has warmed above freezing and any frozen pipes have thawed, turn off dripping faucets and monitor your water meter to check for unseen leaks.

SERVPRO of Morro Bay / King City

Please give us a call if you have any questions or if we can be of further assistance.