Freezing temperatures cause water main breaks throughout the area

February 26, 2015 at 12:05a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

As temperatures again dropped below zero degrees Tuesday and Wednesday nights, several waterlines in the area broke, and many Mahoning Valley residents had issues with frozen pipes.

Crews worked Tuesday night and Wednesday to repair water-main breaks on Como Street in Struthers, at the Boardman Plaza and on Birch Hill Drive in Youngstown.

Aqua Ohio crews worked overnight to repair the broken line in Struthers and fixed it by early Wednesday.

Ed Wildes, safety director for Struthers, said there have been several water-main breaks throughout the city recently, such as on Sexton and Fifth streets.

“This subzero weather is playing havoc with” the city’s infrastructure, Wildes said.

Crews from Youngstown’s water department also worked overnight to repair the Birch Hill break, and then responded Wednesday morning to the Boardman Plaza area to shut off water service so the property owner could have the break repaired.

Aqua Ohio has received hundreds of calls recently from customers in the area reporting issues with frozen pipes.

“By and large, it’s frozen lines in their homes, and we’re going out and explaining how to thaw the pipes,” said Jeff La Rue, a spokesman for Aqua Ohio.

Aqua has several tips to help customers prevent frozen pipes:

Insulate pipes using heat tape or pipe insulation.

Open cabinet doors to allow warmth to surround pipes.

Remove hoses, since exterior faucets and hoses are the first things to freeze.

Eliminate drafts by repairing broken or cracked basement windows. Close off crawl space vents and doors.

Keep a thin stream of water running from the pipe farthest from the water meter when it is 10 degrees or colder.

Check water meters to make sure the lid is not broken or missing.

Thaw frozen pipes with a hair dryer. Hold the hair dryer 6 inches away from the pipe and move it back and forth.