Which pipes freeze first
- Outdoor hose bibs and pipes in exterior walls
- Pipes in garages, attics, and crawlspaces
- Supply lines under manufactured and mobile homes
- The wellhead, pressure tank, and exposed well lines
- Above-ground irrigation lines and backflow devices
- Water softener loops and lines in unheated spaces
Before a hard freeze
- Disconnect garden hoses and cover outdoor faucets with insulated covers.
- Insulate exposed pipes in garages, crawlspaces, and under manufactured homes.
- Protect the well house and pressure tank with insulation, and use only heat sources rated for that use.
- Drain irrigation lines and outdoor plumbing you won't use over winter.
- Keep the home heated, even when you're away. Many plumbers recommend at least 55°F.
- On the coldest nights, open sink cabinets on exterior walls and let a faucet drip slightly.
- Find your main water shut-off now, before you need it.
If a pipe freezes
A frozen pipe often shows up as no water, or only a trickle, at one fixture. Open that faucet so water can flow as the ice melts. Warm the pipe gently with a hair dryer or a space heater kept at a safe distance. Never use an open flame. If you can't find the frozen section or reach it safely, call a plumber.
If a pipe bursts
Shut off the water right away. On city water, close the main shut-off valve. On a private well, turn off the well pump breaker and close the main valve. Then follow the plumbing emergency checklist and read about burst pipes.
If the heat goes out
A furnace that stops working on a cold night puts every pipe in the house at risk. ASC Plumbing also provides furnace repair in Pahrump.