BRRRRR......Freeze Warning!!

The Threshold Temperature For Most Pipes To Freeze In The South Is Approximately 20 Degrees. Pipes That Run Along Exterior Walls Are Especially Vulnerable To Freezing During This Time Of Year. Although Most New Homes Are Well Insulated, You Should Take Preventative Measures To Prevent Your Pipes From Freezing. Below Are a Few Recommendations and Suggestions From Various Organizations Regarding The Cold Weather.

Huntsville Utilities

Huntsville Utilities Recommend That Customers Leave The Faucet Closest To Where Their Water Service Enters Their Residence On Slightly, With A Pencil-Point Thin Stream Of Water, And Disconnect All Water Hoses From Any Outside Faucets. These Measures Will Help Prevent Freezing Pipes That Can Lead To Expensive Repairs.

The American Red Cross

• Keep Garage Doors Closed If There Are Water Supply Lines In The Garage.
• Open Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinet Doors to Allow Warmer Air to Circulate Around the Plumbing. Be Sure To Move Any Harmful Cleaners and Household Chemicals Up Out Of the Reach of Children.
• When The Weather Is Very Cold Outside, Let The Cold Water Drip From The Faucet Served By Exposed Pipes. Running Water Through The Pipe - Even At A Trickle - Helps Prevent Pipes From Freezing.
• Keep The Thermostat Set To The Same Temperature Both During The Day And At Night. By Temporarily Suspending The Use Of Lower Nighttime Temperatures, You May Incur A Higher Heating Bill, But You Can Prevent A Much More Costly Repair Job If Pipes Freeze And Burst.
• If You Will Be Going Away During Cold Weather, Leave The Heat On In Your Home, Set To A Temperature No Lower Than 55° F.

**And Don’t Forget Your Pets – They Are Susceptible To The Cold As Well**

The Humane Society

If For Some Reason Your Dog Or Cat Is Outdoors Much Of The Day, He Or She Must Be Protected By A Dry, Draft-Free Shelter That Is Large Enough To Allow Them To Sit And Lie Down Comfortably But Small Enough To Hold In His/Her Body Heat. The Floor Should Be Raised A Few Inches Off The Ground And Covered With Cedar Shavings Or Straw. The Doorway Should Be Covered With Waterproof Burlap Or Heavy Plastic. Or, Keep Your Pets Indoors During Extreme Conditions. Salt And Other Chemicals Used To Melt Snow And Ice Can Irritate The Pads Of Your Pet's Feet. Wipe All Paws With A Damp Towel Before Your Pet Licks Them And Irritates His/Her Mouth.

To Thaw Frozen Pipes

• If You Turn On A Faucet And Only A Trickle Comes Out, Suspect A Frozen Pipe. Likely Places For Frozen Pipes Include Against Exterior Walls Or Where Your Water Service Enters Your Home Through The Foundation.
• Keep The Faucet Open. As You Treat The Frozen Pipe And The Frozen Area Begins To Melt, Water Will Begin To Flow Through The Frozen Area. Running Water through the Pipe Will Help Melt Ice in the Pipe.
• Apply Heat To The Section Of Pipe Using An Electric Heating Pad Wrapped Around The Pipe, An Electric Hair Dryer, A Portable Space Heater (Kept Away From Flammable Materials), Or By Wrapping Pipes With Towels Soaked In Hot Water. Do Not Use A Blowtorch, Kerosene Or Propane Heater, Charcoal Stove, Or Other Open Flame Device.
• Apply Heat Until Full Water Pressure Is Restored. If You Are Unable To Locate The Frozen Area, If The Frozen Area Is Not Accessible, Or If You Cannot Thaw The Pipe, Call A Licensed Plumber.
• Check All Other Faucets In Your Home To Find Out If You Have Additional Frozen Pipes. If One Pipe Freezes, Others May Freeze, Too.

Melting Salts Snow or Ice

• Melting Salts Can Damage Your Concrete Surfaces. If You Are Worried About Driveways And Walkways Forming Ice, You Can Use Sand, Straw Or Hay. Or, Check With Your Local Retailer On Which Melting Salts Will Do The “Least” Amount Of Damage.