PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
Lincoln Water System, 2021 N. 27th St., Lincoln, NE 68503, 441-7571, fax 441-8493

LWS Offers Tips to Help Prevent Frozen Pipes

With the recent cold temperatures, Lincoln Water System (LWS) has seen an increase in calls about frozen pipes in homes and businesses. Most problems occur in unheated areas such as basements, crawl spaces, cabinets or pipes along exterior walls and in poorly insulated structures.

Property owners who have experienced problems with frozen pipes in the past should take extra precautions. LWS recommends these tips to help protect pipes from freezing:

• Make sure that all areas with plumbing are heated. Often times heat is shut off to basements or unused rooms. If using a space heater, it should be listed and approved by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL). Space heaters should only be used according to manufacturer instructions and should never be left unattended. Open flame heaters are not recommended.
• Open cabinet doors to allow warmer air to reach concealed pipes.
• UL-listed and approved heat tape should be installed according to manufacturer instructions or by a licensed plumber. It is not recommended as a permanent solution.
• As a last resort, continuously running a small amount of water (slightly more than a drip) from a kitchen or bathroom faucet can keep pipes from freezing. About one cup every minute is sufficient. Depending on water rates, this will amount to less than 50 cents per day per faucet.
• Know where the shut-off valves are located so water can be shut off immediately in case of a leak or break. These valves are usually near the water meter. Even if the water is shut off at the meter, pipes should always be protected from freezing.
• If your pipes do freeze, it's best to contact a licensed plumber who can locate the problem and safely unthaw and repair any pipes. If you decide to do it yourself, always use a safe heat source such as a hair dryer. Using a flame or high heat device can damage piping and cause a fire.

LWS officials also remind residents to clear snow away from fire hydrants and make sure they are accessible from the street. "Minutes count when responding to a fire, and having to find and uncover hydrants can significantly hamper the response effort," said Steve Owen, LWS Superintendent of Water Distribution. "With more than 10,000 fire hydrants throughout the City, LWS crews are able to uncover only a small number. We greatly appreciate the help that our residents provide in keeping themselves and their neighbors safe."