Cold Weather Tips to Save Your Pipes, pt II

Last week we went over some tips to protect your home before cold weather sets in.  This week we're going to continue with tips for when temperatures get menacingly low.

When temperatures fall below zero:

• Allow a small trickle of water to run overnight to keep pipes from freezing. 
• Open cabinet doors to expose pipes to warmer room temperatures to keep them from freezing.

What do you do if your pipes freeze?

• Shut off the water immediately. Don't attempt to thaw frozen pipes unless the water is shut off. Freezing can often cause unseen cracks in pipes or joints that will leak when thawed.
• Apply heat to a frozen pipe by warming the air around it, or by applying heat directly to a pipe. You can use a hair dryer, space heater, or hot water. Be sure not to leave space heaters unattended, and avoid the use of kerosene heaters or open flames.
• Once the pipes have thawed, turn the water back on slowly and check for cracks and leaks.