3 Important Tips to Protect Pipes in Arkansas Freezing Weather

Have you seen the forecast? Temperatures will be dipping down way below freezing over the weekend and into next week. We might see snow we might not but with temperatures so low you need to protect those pipes in your house.

A couple of years ago when temperatures dropped way below freezing a lot of people had water pipes burst. Not only is it a mess it's expensive to get repaired too. The best way to hopefully ensure it doesn't happen to you is to prepare, prepare, prepare!

The Texarkana Water Utilities offered some great tips in the past and they are worth mentioning again.

3 Tips For Your Pipes When Temperatures Are Below Freezing

Make Sure Warm Air Can Get into Your Lower Cabinets

Check to see if your pipes run through cabinets or vanities in the bathrooms and kitchen. If they do then just open the doors, that way warmer room temperatures can go in and warm the pipes. Keep that thermostat no lower than 55 degrees (F).

Drip, Drip...Keep Water Moving in Faucets

Keeping a little bit of water moving through the pipes will ensure the water won't freeze. Running water is much harder to freeze than still water. Just turn the faucet on to a small trickle or slow drip of water.

Disconnect Outdoor Garden Hoses And Cover Outdoor Faucets

Disconnect hoses and insulate those outside faucets. You can buy inexpensive faucet covers that can easily be put on over the faucet and they are reusable too!

My Pipes Froze! Now What?

It happens. You did everything right but you still ended up with busted water pipes.

If that does happen be sure to turn the water off as soon as possible and turn off the water coming into the house at the street if you can.

Don't thaw pipes without turning off the main shut-off valve.
Remember you need to thaw pipes with warm air, not water.

If you can try to melt the frozen water in the pipe with a hair dryer or
space heater.

Do Not leave space heaters unattended and don't use kerosene
heaters or open flames.

Slowly Turn The Water Back on When Everything is Thawed 

Be careful and go slowly. When you think the pipes are thawed, slowly turn the water on, but check for leaks! If there are leaks, turn water off quickly and turn off water at the street if you can. Then, yep...call a plumber.

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