An outside faucet was frozen during the ice storm.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — As temperatures fall into the single digits this week, homeowners are being reminded to take steps to prevent their pipes from freezing.
Frozen pipes can become a serious issue because water expands as it freezes, placing pressure on both metal and plastic pipes.
The Louisville Water Company shared several tips to help protect pipes in homes:
Wrap exposed pipes and water meters with insulating materials.
Cover outside vents for crawl spaces.
Close garage doors in homes with slab foundations, as some pipes run beneath concrete garage floors.
During extreme cold, run a small, steady stream of water and open cabinet doors to allow heat to circulate around pipes.
Know the location of your home’s main water shutoff valve so you can turn off the water immediately if a pipe freezes or bursts.
The Indiana American Water Company also offered practical reminders for extreme cold conditions:
Update emergency contact information and communication preferences in your water account so the company can notify you about service impacts.
Wrap exposed pipes with insulation or use electrical heat tracing wire; newspaper or fabric may also help.
For outside meters, keep the meter pit lid tightly closed and allow snow to remain on top, as snow provides insulation.
If pipes do freeze, officials recommend the following steps:
Shut off the water immediately.
Do not attempt to thaw frozen pipes unless the water is turned off, as freezing can cause hidden cracks in pipes or joints.
Apply heat by warming the surrounding air or directly heating the pipe using a hairdryer, space heater, or hot water, and never leave space heaters unattended.
Do not use kerosene heaters or open flames to thaw pipes inside the home.
After thawing, turn the water back on slowly and check for cracks or leaks.
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