Kanawha Valley winters swing back and forth: mild one week, single digits the next. Those sudden cold snaps catch a lot of homeowners off guard. When water freezes it expands, and that pressure can split a pipe. Often the leak doesn't show up until the ice thaws and water starts pouring out.
Which pipes are most at risk
- Pipes along outside walls, especially under kitchen and bathroom sinks
- Pipes in crawl spaces, unheated basements, garages and attics
- Outdoor hose bibs (spigots) and sprinkler lines
- Pipes in rooms over a garage or on a cold, windy side of the house
Before winter
- Disconnect garden hoses and shut off and drain outdoor spigots if they have an inside shut-off valve.
- Insulate exposed pipes in crawl spaces, basements and garages with foam pipe sleeves.
- Seal gaps and drafts where cold air reaches pipes, like around dryer vents and sill plates.
- Find your main water shut-off valve and make sure it turns, so you can close it fast if a pipe bursts.
During a cold snap
- Let faucets on outside walls drip slowly. Moving water is less likely to freeze.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks so warm air can reach the pipes.
- Keep the heat on and set no lower than about 55°F, even if you're away.
- Keep the garage door closed if water lines run through it.
If a pipe freezes
If you turn on a faucet and get little or no water, a pipe may be frozen. Keep the faucet open and gently warm the pipe with a hair dryer or space heater kept a safe distance away. Never use an open flame. If you can't find the frozen spot, or the pipe has already split, shut off the main water valve and call a plumber.
Burst pipe? Shut off the main water valve first, then call us at (304) 220-8117.
Need a Hand?
Montani Mechanical Group's licensed plumbers serve homes and businesses across Charleston, WV. Related services: