The following tips were provided by Missouri American Water Company. To learn more about how to protect your pipes in cold weather, visit www.missouriamwater.com or call 866-430-0820.
* Before cold weather sets in: Know what areas of your home, such as basements, crawl spaces, unheated rooms and outside walls, are most vulnerable to freezing.
* Eliminate sources of cold air near water lines by fixing windows, insulating walls, closing off crawl spaces, and eliminating drafts near doors.
* Know where your main water shut-off valve is located. If a pipe freezes or bursts, shut the water off immediately.
* Protect your pipes and water meter. Wrap exposed pipes with insulation or an electrical pipe heater; newspaper or fabric may also work. Keep the lid closed tightly on your meter and let any show that falls cover it. Snow acts as insulation, so don't disburb it.
* If your pipes freeze: 1) Shut off the water immediately. Don't attempt to thaw a frozen pipe unless the water is shut off. Freezing can often cause unseen cracks in pipes or joints. 2) Apply heat to the 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. 3) Once the pipes have thawed, turn the water back on slowly and check for cracks and leaks.
