Frozen Pipes & Water Meters

Pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to severe cold, such as outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas such as basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages or kitchen cabinets. Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing.

There are several things that people can do to prepare for freezing weather, including:

• Seal off any cracks that admit drafts to the basement, garage or crawl space containing water pipes or your water meter.
• Keep all doors and windows tightly shut at all times and make adequate heating available to these areas.
• Insulate all exposed water pipes, using pipe insulation or UL approved pipe warmers.
• Protect your water meter from drafts by insulating it too.
• Let water run at a slow trickle from faucets connected to lines that you know are prone to freezing.

One other important thing that everyone in your household should know: Determine where the water shut-off valve is in the house and how to use it in case pipes freeze and burst. Being able to turn the water off quickly will minimize damage from broken pipes.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR PIPES BECOME FROZEN:

IF THERE IS WATER IN PART OF THE HOUSE, the frozen pipe is inside your home.

If you can pinpoint the location you may be able to thaw it by gently heating the air around the pipe. For instance, leave cabinet doors open under kitchen or bathroom sinks to let warm air in. If that doesn't work, call your plumber.

IF THERE IS NO WATER ANYWHERE IN YOUR HOUSE, the service lateral is probably frozen.

This is the pipe that carries water from the public main in the street to your house. If this line is frozen, it will have to be thawed electrically. If the line has not previously frozen, call SBU and we will send a crew to inspect and thaw the line. After a line has been thawed the first time, it shall be the responsibility of the property owner or tenant to have the line thawed if it should freeze again (Permanent prevention of this problem requires either lowering of your service pipe below the frost line and/or insulating the service pipe).