City of Wilmington issued the following announcement on Jan. 23.
When below freezing temperatures occur over a few days, water pipes and meters that are close to cold air may freeze. Property owners are responsible for protecting both water pipes and the water meter from damage. The Department of Public Works urges residents to take steps to prevent water pipes and meters from freezing in order to continue to enjoy water service as well as avoiding unnecessary and expensive repairs. Preventing pipes and meters from freezing is much easier than trying to thaw them. DPW offers these money saving suggestions:
PROVIDE WARMTH TO THE WATER PIPES:
· Eliminate cold drafts near water pipes.
· Tightly close doors and windows to the outside and eliminate drafts from crawl spaces.
· Fill cracks in walls and around windows.
· Turn off water to garden hose connections at an inside valve and drain the exposed piping before freezing temperatures set in.
· Open the door to the room where the pipes are located to allow warmth to circulate.
· Place a lighted bulb near water pipes. (Never use open flames.)
· Wrap pipes in insulation or heat tape.
· Open cabinet door below the sink to allow warm air to reach the pipes.
MAKE FREQUENT USE OF YOUR WATER SUPPLY:
· Flowing water often breaks up ice below freezing.
· When outside temperatures remain below freezing, it's less expensive to run your faucet regularly than for you to repair a frozen or burst pipe.
WHAT TO DO IF PIPES FREEZE?
If no water comes from your faucets when you turn them on, most likely the pipes nearest a wall, door, window, or along the floor are frozen:
· Start by opening a faucet near the frozen pipe to release any vapor from the melting ice and so that you'll know when the water starts flowing again.
· Begin warming the pipes nearest the faucet and work toward the frozen section.
· Blow warm air on the pipe using a hair dryer. (Do not leave the dryer unattended or allow it to overheat.)
· Once water has begun to flow again, let a pencil-sized stream of water flow through the faucet until normal heating is restored to the area.
· Eliminate cold drafts and allow warm air to circulate around the pipes to prevent freezing again.
METERS NEED PROTECTION TOO!
It is colder near the floor of a basement than at the ceiling, so make sure warm air is allowed to circulate around your meter. Follow the previous instructions about preventing frozen water pipes. If your meter is in a separate room, leave the door open to this room to allow warmth to circulate. If your meter is in a cabinet, open the cabinet door. If the meter is in an outdoor pit, check to see that the cover fits properly and that it has no cracks into which cold wind can blow. The pipes, valves and the meter inside such pits should not touch the concrete walls.
If you suspect damage to water pipes or the water meter, call the Water Department on Monday thru Sunday from 7 am to 6 pm at 815-476-6732. Water Emergencies should be reported to 815-693-0353 immediately. Water turn-off service for repairs is provided at no charge and is available from 7 am until 6 pm seven days a week at the Water Emergency number. Thank you!
Original source can be found here.
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