Chappaqua Residents Warned To Avoid Frozen Pipes

CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. – Chappaqua residents are being warned by the New York State Office of Emergency Management to take extra precaution to ensure pipes do not freeze during the current cold front.

Chappaqua's current cold streak could cause frozen pipes. Find out how to avoid them.
Photo Credit: *Flickr user: Sterlic*

by Michael Nocella

01/24/2013 5:00 p.m.

Roto-Rooter Plumbers of Westchester, which provides full-service plumbing to all communities in New Castle, offers the following advice for preventing frozen pipes:

Open cabinet doors under sinks and in storage areas to allow heat from the room to circulate around uninsulated pipes. Allow a trickle of hot and cold water to drip overnight; however, be careful not to run the water into a drain line that is exposed to the extreme cold because that line might freeze.
Insulate all pipes in unheated areas or against uninsulated outside walls, in garages or crawl spaces. Apply heat tape or thermostat-controlled heat cables around pipes that are exposed and prone to freezing.
Make sure the heat is turned on in the building and is set no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

For those who already have frozen pipes, Roto-Rooter suggests the following:

Shut off the water main leading into the structure to reduce pressure on frozen pipes and minimize flooding if the pipes burst.
Use a hair dryer to thaw the ice blockage if the frozen pipe is exposed and visible. Do not use an open flame to thaw. If frozen pipes are not visible, contact Roto-Rooter to use pipe-thawing equipment.
If you currently notice slower water flow and expect frozen pipes, you should call a plumber immediately. Typically, issues like this can be resolved before any damage occurs.

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