As Colorado weathers this unprecedented cold, here are some ways to stay vigilant and keep your pipes intact and free-flowing.
Since last Thursday, we've experienced below-zero temperatures and the almost weeklong arctic blast has taken a toll on homes, businesses, and schools with frozen pipes and worst, bursting pipes and flooding. As Colorado weathers this unprecedented cold, you'll still need to stay vigilant to keep your pipes intact and free-flowing.
Fox31 reports the following closures for Tuesday:
- Boulder Drive License Office
- Free Horizon Montessori in Golden
- Lafayette Elementary School
If you've escaped the frozen pipes at this point, kudos to you! According to Done Plumbing, make sure to follow these helpful tips to keep pipes from freezing:
- Keep your thermostat at 55 degrees or higher to prevent freezing, and keep it on both night and day.
- Leave cabinets open to allow warmer air to reach piping under sinks.
- Most vulnerable pipes are exposed pipes in unheated areas (garage, kitchen cabinets, exterior of the home: garden hose spigot; poorly insulated exterior walls: attics, crawl spaces).
- Let your faucets drip, as that will help prevent freezing.
If your pipes are already frozen, don't worry—we won't revisit the science lesson that water expands as it freezes. According to The American Red Cross, here are some tips to thaw frozen pipes:
- Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.
- Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open-flame devices.
- Apply heat until the full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you can not thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
- Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.
Just like 2020, 2021 continues to bring the "unprecedented." Over 150 million people are under "unprecedented" winter storms that affect 25 states. It seems we're in for another kind-of-year, but even if our toilet pipes are frozen, at least we have toilet paper.
Did we miss any vital tips that work for you? Share in the comments.
