Extreme cold weather can cause some disastrous plumbing problems. Plumbers are often kept busy during the winter by people who didn’t protect their plumbing from the elements. To minimize potential winter plumbing woes, take a few precautions before cold temperatures hit.

Prevent frozen pipes:

• Have your plumbing inspected before cold weather hits. Cleaning all lines can help to remove clogs. Clogs cause back ups, which can freeze, then cause the weakening of the pipes and bursting.
• If you’re going away for the holidays—or the cold weather months in general—make sure you leave your heat on, set no lower than 55 degrees or your pipes are in danger of freezing or bursting.
• Wrap your pipes with insulation designed for plumbing. In many situations, insulation will be all you need to protect your pipes.
• Make sure everyone in the house knows where the water shut-off valve is. If nothing comes out when you turn your faucets on, leave them on and immediately call a plumber.
• If you suspect your pipes are freezing, wrap towels that have been soaked in hot water around cold pipe sections. Keep cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes and turn on faucets just enough to let them drip slowly. Keeping the water moving will prevent freezing.
• Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes. Use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out and the heat in.
• If you have a water softener, water heater or water lines located in the garage, keep the garage door closed.
• Have your sump pump maintained. Making sure that your sump pump is working properly can help to defend your basement if your pipes freeze and burst.
• Leave a small stream of water running and cabinet door open where sinks are installed on an outside wall (during extreme cold weather).
• Make sure you outdoor sprinklers are shut off and check that your outdoor spigots are shut off from the inside an install an insulated cover to help keep the outside faucet from freezing. Keeping areas like this from freezing helps to maintain water flow inside.

If your pipes are already frozen:

• If your pipes have burst, still keep the faucets on, but turn off the water at the main shut-off valve and call a plumber.
• If you end up needing to call a plumber because of an emergency, keep a clear head. Call a plumber you know first. If you’ve got a working relationship with them, they will be more responsive.
• Never try to thaw a pipe with a blowtorch or other open flame and do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water.
• If you’ve got frozen pipes, call a professional. Pipes sometimes burst when they freeze, but the ice works as a plug to prevent them from leaking. When the ice thaws, you may have a major leak on your hands.