MADISON (WKOW) – The City of Madison Fire Department is
warning residents to make sure water pipes are protected from freezing
temperatures so they don't burst and cause significant damage.
Last weekend, firefighters responded to two separate calls where
frozen water pipes burst. In one incident, firefighters say the
homeowner had
turned off his furnace while he was gone for three weeks.
The
fire department has the following tips for residents:
- If you will be
going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a
temperature no lower than 55ºF.
- If you turn on a
faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Locate the
suspected frozen area of the water pipe. Likely places include pipes
running
against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home
through the
foundation.
- 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 more 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 wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water.
- Never use a
blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open
flame
device. A blowtorch can make
water in a frozen pipe boil and cause the pipe to explode. All open
flames in
homes present a serious fire danger, as well as a severe risk of
exposure to
lethal carbon monoxide.
- Apply heat until
full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen
area,
if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you cannot 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.
- Consider adding
insulation to attics, basements, and crawl spaces to maintain warmer
temperatures.
