Utah cold snaps can drop well below freezing for days at a time, and a frozen pipe can split and flood a home in minutes once it thaws. A few steps before winter go a long way.
Before the first hard freeze
- Outdoor spigots: disconnect garden hoses, then shut off and drain the spigot from the inside valve (unless you have frost-free hose bibs).
- Sprinkler systems: have the lines blown out before the first hard freeze, and shut off and drain the backflow preventer.
- Insulate vulnerable pipes: pipes in crawl spaces, garages, unheated basements and exterior walls are most at risk. Foam pipe insulation is inexpensive and easy to install.
- Seal drafts near pipes where cold air gets in, like rim joists, crawl space vents and garage walls.
- Know where your main water shutoff is. Find it now, not during an emergency, and make sure it turns.
During extreme cold
- Keep the thermostat at 55°F or higher, even when you're away.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls so warm air reaches the pipes.
- Let faucets on exterior walls drip slowly. Moving water is less likely to freeze.
- Keep the garage door closed if pipes or a water heater are in the garage.
If a pipe freezes
Signs: a faucet gives a trickle or nothing, or there's frost on a visible pipe.
- Open the faucet so melting water can flow.
- Gently warm the pipe with a hair dryer, heating pad or space heater, starting near the faucet and working back.
- Never use an open flame or a torch.
- If you can't find the frozen section or can't reach it, call us.
If a pipe bursts
- Shut off the main water valve immediately.
- Turn off power to wet areas if it's safe to reach the breaker.
- Move belongings and start soaking up water.
- Call (385) 324-7301. Phones are answered 24/7, with after-hours emergency dispatch.
How Aireo helps
Our licensed plumbers repair burst and damaged pipes, find hidden leaks and can repipe homes with aging or vulnerable plumbing. You get a written quote before any work begins. See leak detection and repair and repiping.