Before
next
Disconnect and
drain outdoor faucets, and shut them off inside.
Patch cracks and
holes near pipes. When temperatures approach zero, wind through a
small opening can freeze nearby pipes, even though the room
temperature is 70 degrees.
Insulate pipes in
unheated areas such as crawl spaces and garages. Check insulation!
Wet insulation freezes fast, making it worse than no insulation at
all.
Make sure heat can
circulate around pipes. Plumbing in an enclosed area such as a
closet will freeze.
Pay attention to
basement piping. Older furnaces lose enough heat to warm
basements. Newer energy efficient models do not. Consider UL
approved heat tape.
Find and tag your
inside water shut-off valve, and make sure it works BEFORE an
emergency arises. This will limit water damage should inside pipes
burst. |
If
your line freezes outside ...
Call us as soon as possible.
We will remove the water meter and check for ice. Sometimes, only
the meter is frozen.
If the meter is not
the problem, we will attempt to determine which side of the
service line is frozen. We can use our thawing equipment, or you
may choose to have a plumber or welder attempt to thaw the line.
If the line is frozen on the customer’s side, it is the customer’s
responsibility to pay for the thawing. If the line is frozen on
the District’s side, then we are responsible for the thawing. If
the freeze location cannot be determined, we will split the cost
of thawing per Maine Public Utilities Commission regulations.
We respond to frozen service
complaints in the order in which they are received, and other
emergencies—such as broken water mains—may take. |
If
your pipes freeze . .
Don’t use an open
flame for thawing. You risk overheating a pipe and causing it to
burst, or setting the house on fire.
Use a hair dryer at
a low setting and wave the heat along the pipe.
Use caution. The
pipe may already be broken, and water may pour out when the pipe
thaws. |
