Building Department

How to thaw out frozen pipes:

• If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, you may have 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 melt and flow through the pipes.
• Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (keep away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked with hot water. Never use a blow torch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or 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 contractor.
• Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have other frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze too.

How to avoid frozen pipes:

• Drain water from swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines following manufacturers directions. Do not put antifreeze in these lines unless directed to.
• Remove, drain and store hoses used outside.
• Add insulation to attics, basements and crawl spaces. Insulation will maintain higher temperatures in these areas.
• Check around the home for other areas where water supply lines are in unheated areas. Look in the garage, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Both hot and cold water pipes in these areas should be insulated.
• Consider installing specific products made to insulate water lines like a pipe sleeve or heat tape, heat cable or similar materials on exposed water pipes.
• Consider relocating exposed pipes to provide increased protection from freezing.
• 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.
• When the weather is very cold, let the cold water drip from a faucet served by the exposed pipes, even a trickle helps prevent pipes from freezing.