Prevent frozen water lines
Keep your pipes from freezing
Benton's temperatures usually stay above freezing, but when they drop below it, unprotected pipes can freeze. That can mean no water until they thaw, or a burst line and plumbing repairs.
- Shut off outside water valves, disconnect hoses, and drain the pipes through an open faucet.
- Let a trickle of hot and cold water drip. The cost of the water is small compared to frozen pipes. Do not run water into a drain line that is exposed to extreme cold.
- Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors so warm air reaches pipes under the sinks.
- Heat unused rooms that have plumbing, especially along a north wall.
- Insulate pipes in unheated areas like the garage or crawl space. Heat tape or thermostat-controlled heat cable helps on exposed pipes.
- Seal air leaks around doors and windows.
- Away for a few days? Set the thermostat to 55 degrees.
