Winter chill is taking hold, and a freezing arctic blast is forecast to arrive this weekend. The City of Daytona Beach is offering tips to prevent burst pipes.
To avoid water pipes breaking due to frigid air, utility customers are advised to run at least one faucet in their home or business at a thin stream. This allows water to flow through the pipes and lowers the risk of broken water lines during freezing conditions.
Unlike other liquids, water expands when it freezes. When water pipes freeze, the expanding water can break the pipe, and customers can be left with low to no water pressure in their house when the pipes thaw.
When freezing temperatures loom, citizens might see water trickling out of spigots in area parks and public spaces. This is part of the city’s cold-weather plan to prevent or minimize issues caused by the cold. If you see water running lightly from a pipe when arctic air threatens, please do not turn it off. This is intentional.
During periods of colder weather, the city’s Utilities Department, as well as local plumbing contractors, typically receive calls from customers reporting broken water pipes. When pipes break between the water meter and the home or within the home, the customer is responsible for repairs.
City crews repair damage to pipes between the water main under the street and the meter or in the main itself, which rarely happens since water runs continuously in the mains.
Below are additional tips when temperatures dip extremely low:
- Insulate pipes located outside or in the attic with cloth or a similar material to help prevent freezing.
- Make sure the cover to your water meter fits tightly. If your pipes do freeze, you can use the valve inside the meter box to shut off all the water to the house, helping to prevent indoor flooding when pipes thaw.
- Insulate your backflow assembly properly by wrapping or covering the pipe. Do not cover the bottom relief opening on the underside at the middle of the apparatus to avoid creating other flooding problems. Another option is an insulated bag designed for backflow devices. These are available online or a t home improvement stores.
- Wrap commercial fire lines in buildings.
- Disconnect outside water hoses from spigots, as water trapped inside can freeze and crack the hose.