Preventing Frozen Pipes

When cold weather sets in, make sure that all your garden hoses are disconnected. Failure to take care of this important task can result in not only a busted hose but also damage to the hose bib to which it is connected.  This is particularly important with freeze-proof hydrants. The hose must be disconnected to make the faucet freeze-proof. Failure to do so will trap water in the faucet body, which then can freeze. If the hose is disconnected, the faucet can drain properly, preventing freezing.
 

Water pipes exposed to freezing temperatures or drafts should be covered with insulation. When possible, it's best to drain systems not being used in severely cold weather. Small water pipes freeze more quickly than waste or sewer pipes.
 

Pipes located in unheated basements or garages should be insulated with a commercial covering.

Pipes laid underground should be below the frost line to prevent freezing.
 

Thawing Frozen Pipes

Frozen plumbing pipes, although inconvenient, do not have to constitute a calamity. The calamity may occur however if improper means are taken to thaw the pipes such as with a blow torch.  An open flame or torch can come too close to combustible material, such as insulation, wooden joists or flooring and cause a fire.

Another danger from the use of a torch arises when both ends of a pipe are clogged with ice and heat is applied in the center. The application of the heat at the center of the pipe is likely to cause the water to flash into steam and potentially cause an explosion.  A blow dryer or a heat gun is a much better choice for remedying the problem of a frozen pipe.
 

Leaky Pipes

If you find a leak in your plumbing system, shut off the water supply and call your plumber at once. Water supply systems are under high pressure. Temporary repairs usually fail and leaks need immediate attention, since they can progress into a serious break quickly.