HELENA – The City of East Helena has issued a press release, providing some tips to avoid frozen pipes
The Public Works Department would like to inform residents of the City of East Helena that the unusually cold winter temperatures can cause water lines to freeze.
Frozen water lines typically occur in areas such as crawl spaces, along the outside walls where unprotected plumbing tends to be more vulnerable to the elements, and areas of the home that are not heated.
Tips to avoid frozen pipes:
• Consider leaving a faucet running at the highest location in the house. This should be a steady stream about the size of a pencil lead or toothpick.
• Make sure water pipes in unheated parts of your home, including crawl spaces, are insulated.
• Seal all openings in the basement around the foundation, windows, and doors. Insulate all pipes in your basement that are near windows.
• Make sure you heat all rooms of your house that have plumbing fixtures. Water pipes in unheated rooms are subject to freezing and could cause extensive damage.
• Leave the cabinet doors open to allow the heat from the room to enter if you have pipes that are located on an outside wall.
• Don’t remove snow around your property if you don’t have to. It helps to insulate the ground around your home and the water pipes therein.
If you have a frozen pipe, call a professional plumber.
If you have any questions, please call the Public Works Director, Scott St. Clair, at 410-1125.
