Frozen Water Pipes

PREVENT YOUR PIPES FROM FREEZING & WHAT TO DO IF THEY DO FREEZE!
  
            PREVENTION-
1.  Allow a cold water faucet to drip slightly in order to minimize freezing.
2.  Keep your house temperature at 68 degrees or higher, even if you’re leaving the house for an extended period of time. Keep the temperature set at the same temperature both day and night while below freezing temperatures are occurring.
3.  Open cabinet doors below the sinks to allow heat from the house to circulate.
4.  Disconnect all gardening hoses and install covers on all outside faucets.
5.  Locate the main water valve in your house and the water valve on your hot water heater.
 
WHAT TO DO IF PIPES DO FREEZE-
1.  If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. 
2.  Apply heat to the frozen section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe.
3.  Use an electric hair dryer (For safety purposes, avoid operating a hair dryer around standing water.)
4.  Use a portable space heater (For safety purposes, keep way from flammable materials.)
5.  Wrap pipes with towels soaked in hot water.
DO NOT USE A BLOWTORCH, KEROSENE OR PROPANE HEATER, CHARCOAL STOVE OR OTHER OPEN FLAME DEVICE.
 
IF A PIPE BURSTS!!!
1.  Shut off water at the main valve for your home (not at the water meter).  If you are on City water and need the water shut off at the water meter, during normal working hours 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM Monday - Friday, call the Water Resources Department at 704-734-4531.  After normal working hours, weekends or holidays, please contact the Kings Mountain City Police Department at 704-734-0444. The City has someone on Stand-by 24hrs a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
2.  If the break is in a hot water pipe, the valve on top of the water heater should be closed.
3.  If the break is on your side of the water meter, you will need to call a plumber.
 
BE SAFE & BE PREPARED!!!