Plumbing repairs and property damage caused by frozen pipes that burst can be both widespread and expensive. You may avoid these problems by taking preventative measures to protect your plumbing during freezing weather.
If your structure does NOT have heat, turn the water OFF at the main shut-off valve, drain and winterize your plumbing including water lines and toilets. If you cannot locate your main shut-off valve, please call our Call Center at 785-368-3111, and a field representative will respond to turn the service off at the meter box.
For heated structures:
Strategy 1: Eliminate Drafts
Prevent the flow of cold air into your crawl space or basement by closing basement vents and windows and making sure all doors create a tight seal. Repair all broken windowpanes and seal cracks in the basement and crawlspace masonry walls.
Strategy 2: Protect Outside Pipes and Spigots
Protect outside plumbing by using pipe insulation and spigot covers. Drain and disconnect all garden hoses from outside spigots. Do NOT try to insulate meter boxes; these attempts will increase the risk of freezing and slow the thawing process.
Strategy 3: Expose Pipes To Warm Air
When the outside temperatures are below 32F, you can open cabinet doors in your home that house plumbing or share a wall with plumbing such as in a bathroom or kitchen. This will allow additional heat to water pipes in those areas.
Strategy 4: Keep Your House Warm
When temperatures are below freezing outside, it is important to try and keep the temperature inside your structure above 55F even when you are not home. This will help keep your plumbing warm enough to prevent freezing.
Strategy 5: Let The Water Run
When outside temperatures drop below 10F, let cold water run at a fast drip from any or all fixture(s) or line(s) needing protection. Allowing water to move within your pipes will offer better protection against freezing.
Strategy 6: Insulate Exposed Pipes
Take the time to insulate any exposed pipes. These could be located in an attic, basement or crawlspace. Insulation will better protect your pipes from cold temperatures.
If Your Pipes Freeze
DO:
- Know the location of your main shut-off valve and be prepared to turn it off. The line you are thawing may already be broken, cracked or split. Once thawed, water could start gushing out and you will want to turn the water off.
- Thaw pipes safely by using gentle heat from a hairdryer. With the hairdryer on a low heat setting, wave the warm air back and forth along the line. It is a slow, but safe process. Heating your pipes too quickly can also cause pipes to burst.
DO NOT:
- DO NOT use an open flame to thaw frozen pipes. Open flames are a fire hazard and overheating a single spot can burst pipes.
- DO NOT attempt to thaw your water meter. If you believe that the meter is frozen please call our Call Center at 785-368-3111, and a field representative will respond to thaw the meter.
Damage to the meter, associated parts, and/or meter box caused by unauthorized thawing efforts, or other means, will be billed to the customer.
If Your Pipes Burst
Shut off the water at the main shut-off valve (or meter box customer side valve if the service line into the house is broken). If water is leaking in the house and you cannot locate your main shut-off valve, please call our Call Center at 785-368-3111, and a field representative will come out and turn the water service off at the meter box.