How To Prevent Pipes from Freezing

Avoid Extreme Water Damage in Your Home

We all know it gets downright cold in Maine, and one of the biggest worries for Pine Tree State residents at this time of year is losing the heat at home– and the ensuing danger of water pipes freezing.

When a pipe freezes, it’s at risk to burst, and a burst pipe can cause you a lot of trouble and money. With that in mind, here are some tips to help you avoid this stressful situation.

• If you plan to be away from home in winter, leave your thermostat setting no lower than 60° F.
• If you haven’t already done so, turn off the water supply to your outdoor spigot, and leave the outdoor valve in the open position so any water left in the pipe drains. With no water left in the lines, you can be confident that ice will not collect.

  Several cost-effective items can reduce your risk of freezing pipes, including frost-free spigots and outdoor valve covers. These products are available at most home improvement stores.

• Caulk or plug holes that allow cold air near water lines.
• Open kitchen cabinet doors to allow heat into areas where water pipes may be located.
• Check in and around your home for water lines in colder or unheated areas. Insulate both cold and hot water lines in areas such as your garage, crawl spaces, and your attic. Consider electric heat tape or a heated cable if the area stays cold and can’t be easily warmed up.
• If the cold weather is severe or sustained, allow small trickle or warm and cold water through the faucet.

What to Do if Your Pipes Do Freeze

• Leave the water faucet slightly open.
• Use a space heater or a hairdryer to thaw the frozen section of the pipe. Never use a device with an open flame!
• If there is standing water near the pipe, do not use a hairdryer or any other electrical device.
• Keep the area as warm as possible, or wrap pipes with thermostatically controlled heat tape to keep pipes from freezing again.
• If you see any water coming from the pipe, call a plumber immediately.

What to Do if You Lose Your Heat

Before calling your heating oil service company, try these steps to see if you can get your furnace or boiler to start generating heat again:

• Make sure you have fuel in your tank.
• Check to see if the power switch for the heating system is turned on.
• Look for a blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker.
• Confirm that your thermostat is set above room temperature; check the batteries too.
• Push the reset button on your oil burner—but not more than once or you may flood the system with oil.

If you still can’t get heat, it’s time to call a heating oil service expert. Learn more about how a full-service heating oil company can help you get through winter.