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Water Frozen Pipes

Here are some recommendations to help prevent issues during cold weather:

BEFORE WINTER

Insulate - Pipes exposed in a home's attic or crawl space are the most susceptible to freezing.
Tape/Cables - Water pipes can be wrapped with heat tape or thermostatically-controlled heat cables. Be sure to use approved products only and follow manufacturer's instructions closely.
Seal - Insulate or caulk around pipes, electrical wiring and dryer vents; sealing any small openings where cold air could leak in and cause nearby water pipes to freeze.
Shut Off - Use an indoor valve to shut off & drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets and disconnect garden hoses.

WHEN COLD TEMPERATURES HIT

Open Up - Uninsulated pipes under sinks need heat, as well. Open cabinet doors to allow heat to reach where pipes are near exterior walls.
Stream – Consider allowing water to trickle from faucets overnight, especially those located on outside walls.
Temperature Check - The normal temperature of the City of Nashua’s water supply averages 50°.
Run Water - Run water from cold water faucet for a couple of minutes, then place thermometer under water stream and wait for the temperature to stop decreasing. If temperature is near 40°, continue to monitor. If water temperature drops below 40°, consider leaving a faucet running constantly at the diameter of a pencil to mitigate this issue.
Notify - Notify the Utility Clerk at City Hall if you are running water for extended periods to mitigate water pipe freezing.

IF YOU ARE AWAY

Check - Have a friend or neighbor check your home daily, if possible, to make sure the indoor temperature is maintained.
Thermostat - Keep indoor temperature set at 55° or above.
Drain - Shut off and drain water from system. (Keep in mind, this will de-activate fire sprinklers.)

IF PIPES SHOULD FREEZE

Call Plumber - If nothing comes out when faucets are turned on, call a plumber and leave the faucets open. If you determine that a water pipe has burst, leave water faucets turned on and turn off water at the main shut-off valve inside the house or business.
Thawing Pipes - Use a hair dryer to warm a frozen pipe, starting close to the faucet and moving towards the coldest section of the pipe. Never use an open flame or torch.