Utilities Director Offers Advice to Avoid Frozen Water Lines

IRONWOOD, MI - Sunday, November 23, 2008 - Water service lines can freeze for various reasons. Many sources of interior problems include unheated crawl spaces or basements, lines located in exterior walls that are poorly insulated or under cupboards that contain very little heat. Sources of exterior problems include shallow water lines above normal frost depth or lines that are not properly insulated.

Simple tips one can take to protect water lines from freezing are the following:

• Disconnect and drain garden hose and turn off hose bibs
• Shut off the main water valve when leaving for an extended time; have a friend or neighbor periodically check the home for any problems
• Seal cracks in foundations, doors and windows
• Consider insulating water pipes and check periodically that the insulation is dry; wet insulation can be worse than no insulation
• Open unheated cabinet doors to allow air flow
• If the use of heat tape is considered, be sure it has the UL seal of approval; it doesn't work if it is not plugged in
• Plan on "banking" snow around unheated basements or crawl spaces and try to maintain a maximum cover over shallow water and sewer lines
• Maintain temperatures at least 40 degrees in all basements or crawl spaces where water lines may be located
• Replace undersized service lines to enhance water flow
• Bury the service line to a depth of at least six feet AND insulate it
• Do not use PVC or PEX tubing as an exterior supply; you will not be able to maintain continuity if future problems with freezing occur

To conserve our precious water supply, most communities do not allow one to waste water as an alternative to prevent water lines from freezing without prior approval. Some customers elect to waste water to prevent their water lines from freezing at their own expense. Most municipalities are aware of the "troubled" areas in their systems and authorize only a select number of customers to waste water to protect parts of their public water systems from freezing. As part of various strategic and captial improvment projects, new water mains are installed to enhance water flow in outlying areas and to reduce problems that occur during the winter months.

Wasting water is a temporary and last alternative to prevent water lines from freezing. This "quick fix" increases costs to all water customers. The increase demand can affect the water levels at the water source as well as increasing costs with chemicals, energy and equipment use. Whenever possible customers are asked to make necessary corrections to their private water supply to prevent future problems of freezing.