Frozen Pipes

A highly impactful winter storm is likely. Temperatures will be in the single digits Saturday and Sunday morning with highs only in the teens, and perhaps even single digits. For much of the region, the wind chill will be below zero all weekend.

When temperatures are consistently at or below freezing:

• If you have pipes that are vulnerable to freezing, turn water off at the source and empty the pipes of residual water.
  
  
• Open cabinet doors to expose pipes to warmer room temperatures to help keep them from freezing.

If your pipes freeze:

• Shut off the water immediately. Don't attempt to thaw frozen pipes unless the water is shut off. Freezing can often cause unseen cracks in pipes or joints.
  
  
• 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. Avoid the use of kerosene heaters and open flames, and do not leave space heaters unattended.
  
  
• Once the pipes have thawed, turn the water back on slowly and check for cracks and leaks.