Preventing Frozen Pipes
During the winter months and with these colder temperatures, please make sure to keep an eye on your water pipes and plumbing. Frozen pipes that break or burst can cause major water damage and expensive repairs. You can monitor your water temperatures with a standard kitchen thermometer. If your water temperatures are 40°F or lower, you can let a small amount of water flow (about the size of a toothpick) through any sink in your house to help prevent your pipes from freezing. A small amount of rusty water may be the first indication that your pipes are beginning to freeze and you may need to run water from an interior sink to keep your pipes from completely freezing.
Here are a few other preventive measures you can take to help prevent frozen pipes:
-Allowing a small drip from faucets on extremely cold nights can relieve pressure and prevent interior and exterior pipes from freezing.
-Insulate pipes that are located in cold, drafty places, or near exterior walls inside your home.
-Leave cupboard drawers open under your sinks to prevent indoor plumbing from freezing.
-Disconnect all outside hoses.
If you have any questions, please contact the Charles City Water Department at 641-257-6315 or City Hall at 641-257-6300.