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University of Wisconsin-Extension
If
the heat will be off in your home for several days during
a winter storm, you should protect exposed plumbing, sewage
systems and appliances from freezing and subsequent damage.
Frozen pipes could become a problem once the temperature inside
the home falls below 40 degrees F.
If
some pipes have frozen, despite the fact that power has returned
or exists, there are some simple measures to take. But whenever
possible, get an expert for plumbing work or repairs.
Follow
these steps to reduce the chance of pipes freezing during
a power failure:
- Shut
off the water at the main valve, or turn off the well pump
if it is in the house.
- Turn
the water heater off. An explosion could result if the heater
is left on without water in the system. You will find either
an electrical switch or gas valve for shutting off the appliance.
- Open
all the faucets on the lower level, then the upper level.
You may want to collect the water for household use.
- Insulate
undrainable pipes around their main valves. Use newspaper,
blankets or housing insulation.
Unlike
summer homes and cottages, modern housing is not usually designed
for easy winterization. For this reason, you should contact
a plumber or other expert if the house will be without heat
for an extended period of time. Critical measures include:
draining of toilets, water softening units, drain traps, sump
pumps, heaters, humidifiers, dishwashers and other appliances
that use water.
Under
normal circumstances, most of us never have to worry about
a frozen water pipe. Our plumbing pipes are on interior walls
and are insulated well enough that water does not freeze.
But frozen pipes may become a concern if the heat is off or
if water pipes run through unheated crawl spaces, floors over
garages or in outside walls.
If pipes
do freeze:
- Shut
off the water supply and open faucets to the frozen pipes;
- Warm
them with a heat lamp, blow dryer or portable heater;
- Do
not use boiling water, propane torches or any open flame
to thaw frozen pipes;
- Apply
only moderate heat and expect to wait for several hours;
- Open
sink cabinets to let in warm air.
If pipes
have burst before you could take preventive action, immediately
turn off their water supply. Try to locate the areas that
need repair and call a plumber.
The long-term
solution for frozen pipes is to provide adequate insulation
and heat. Methods may include wrapping pipes with insulation
material and installing weather stripping, insulation and
heat to the room. A temporary or last resort solution is the
use of electric heating tape, which can be wrapped around
the pipes and energized when sub-zero weather is predicted.
You can also leave faucets connected to exposed pipes trickling
when low temperatures are forecasted. If the pipes are under
an enclosed sink, open the door and use a fan to blow warm
air from the room toward the pipes.
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Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not
represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears
by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
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resources:
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