Sunday, December 23, 2001
Having a plan will help a great deal.
There's water squirting everywhere and you're ready to scream. Acting fast and knowing just what to do if your water pipes do freeze can keep a bad situation from turning into a disastrous one.
You'll know your pipes are frozen if you see water pouring out of unusual places or if you turn on the faucet and no water comes out.
The first thing to do is shut off the water at the main shut off valve in your home.
"Everyone should know where this valve is and how to work it," Shafer said.
The next thing you should do is call a plumber.
Trying to solve the problem on your own with the help of a hair dryer or heat gun or blowtorch is dangerous for obvious reasons.
Electric appliances and water never mix, and blowtorches can cause water to boil and could lead to an explosion.
Blowtorches can also ignite flammable materials near water pipes, such as wooden joists or insulation.
Trying to thaw pipes on your own will also involve a lot of guesswork since you most likely will not know the exact spot where the pipe is frozen.
Call insurance company: After you've called a plumber, contact your insurance company and review your homeowner's insurance policies regarding property repair, and save all receipts and damaged property for the adjuster to inspect.
Also know that most home insurance policies don't cover damages due to frozen pipes if the damage occurs while the home is unoccupied.
If you're leaving town for a vacation, Benton and Shafer recommend turning off the water in your home and keeping the thermostat at 55 or 60 degrees.
If you will be leaving home for an extended period of time, Benton said you should drain the waterlines before departure.
To do this, turn water off at the shut off valve and then turn on all the faucets in the home to let them drain. Benton said sometimes turning on a faucet in the basement and one on the second floor -- if the home has both -- will be sufficient.
If you have city water and water still runs through your pipes during power outages, Benton said you should also turn off water if the electricity goes out during a winter storm. This is because temperatures in the home can get very cold before the power comes back on and pipes could freeze.