If you’re cold, they’re cold — keep your pipes toasty and your water running this winter

That indescribable feeling you get when it’s well below freezing outside and you go to take a hot shower and…nothing. No water. No warmth.

Not having water during a winter weather event goes much further than a simple shower, of course. Plus, freezing water tends to expand, which could permanently damage pipes and much, much more.

The City of Auburn wants to help make sure that’s not a reality this winter with a few tips.

Check your water

• Check your faucets and hose bibs. If nothing is coming out anywhere in your home, the problem may be on our end.
• In that case, please our Maintenance and Operations main line at 253–931–3048 and we’ll come and check to see if it’s a water meter issue.
• If you do see water coming from other faucets, then it’s a frozen pipe somewhere in the home. So what do you do then?

How to thaw a frozen pipe

• If you do turn on the faucet and only a trickle comes out, or not at all, there’s likely a frozen pipe somewhere where the installation isn’t — like against an exterior wall or where it enters your home through the foundation. Older homes tend to have more exposed pipes underneath the house.
• Keep the faucet open and running, as the running water will help melt the ice.
• If you can find the pipe, apply heat to the section of the pipe using a hair dryer, heat lamp, heat tape, or even an electric heating pad or blanket. Do NOT use a blowtorch, kerosene, propane heater or other sources with an open flame.
• Apply heat until the water pressure is fully restored.
• If you can’t find the pipe, call a licensed plumber.

So what about preventing frozen pipes?

• Keep garage or basement doors closed if there are water supply lines run through there.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing, but be sure to move harmful or hazardous cleaner out of reach of children.
• When the weather is very cold outside, like this morning, open faucets slightly and let cold water trickle.
• Keep thermostats set to the same temperature during the night and day.
• If leaving for the holidays, set thermostats to no lower than 55° F.