Preparing your home’s water pipes for frigid temperatures

ELKHART, Ind. – The City of Elkhart Water Utility warned everyone today about the dangers of frozen waterlines in a press release.

Frozen water pipes in homes can happen with both plastic and copper pipes, minimizing or preventing the flow of water and eventually burst.

Damage to the home and even flooding can occur, so the city has given a few simple steps to help prevent this from occurring:

• Open cabinet doors in kitchens and bathrooms where water lines are against exterior walls, water lines may not receive adequate warmth with the doors closed.
• A trickle of hot and cold water may be all it takes, as letting warm water drip overnight preferably from a faucet on an outside wall may be all it takes.
• Check around the home for other areas where water supply lines are located in unheated areas, look in the garage and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets as both hot and cold-water pipes should be insulated.
• Check for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents, and pipes.
  • The city advises residents to caulk any holes or cracks that exist near pipes on both interior and exterior walls.
  • Doing so on both interior and exterior walls can help keep cold air out and warm air in.

For more information or questions, reach the company’s billing office at (774) 264-4273 or visit here.