Colder temperatures can mean frozen waterlines. Here’s what you should know.

IDAHO FALLS — Colder temperatures are here, and that means a potential for frozen pipes. Idaho Falls Water Division and the Red Cross have some reminders for property owners and tenants to help prepare for the coming freeze.

Water has a unique property in that it expands as it freezes. This puts enormous pressure on pipes and causes them to split or rupture. Smaller waterlines, such as those running from the street to properties, are more prone to freezing, the city of Idaho Falls states in a news release.

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Other pipes that are especially susceptible to freezing include the following:

Pipes that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines and water sprinkler lines. Water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages or kitchen cabinets. Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation.

“Waterlines in Idaho Falls are generally buried between five to six feet deep, keeping them below the winter frost line; however, as temperatures drop below freezing, frost penetrates the ground,” explains Idaho Falls Water Superintendent Dave Richards in the news release. “During extended periods of extreme cold, frost can penetrate more than seven feet deep, causing serious problems for underground utilities, especially waterlines.”

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

The Red Cross offers several tips to keep pipes from freezing. First, keep pipes warm. If there are water supply lines in a garage or other uninsulated spaces, keep the door closed. Inside the home, open cabinet doors in the kitchen and bathroom to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing.

Also, set the thermostat inside the home to the same temperature around the clock. You may have a higher heating bill, but you could save yourself a costly repair job, the Red Cross says. If you’ll be away from home during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home and set the temperature no lower than 55 degrees.

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When the weather is very cold outside, the Red Cross recommends letting cold water drip from any faucet that is served by exposed pipes.

“Running water through the pipe – even at a trickle – helps prevent pipes from freezing,” the organization’s website reads.

What to do if Your Pipes Freeze

If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle of water comes out, suspect a frozen pipe, says the city of Idaho Falls. Double-check all the water valves inside the home and make sure they’re completely open and haven’t been tampered with. If all the valves are open, the waterline is most likely frozen.

Check all the other faucets in your home, too. If one pipe is frozen, there are likely more.

Within Idaho Falls city limits, property owners should call the Idaho Falls Water Division at (208) 612-8471 to inquire about the abnormal flow to ensure service hasn’t been temporarily disrupted for some other reason.

“Tenants living in an apartment or rental property are encouraged to check with their landlord to verify that work isn’t being performed nearby that could impact water service,” city officials state in the news release.

You may wish to contact a licensed plumber, as well.

How to Thaw Frozen Pipes

Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the ice inside begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen section. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe, according to the Red Cross.

Apply heat to the frozen section of the pipe. The Idaho Falls Water Division recommends using a hairdryer or rags soaked in warm water to gradually warm the frozen pipe. You may also use a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials) or an electric heating pad, says the Red Cross.

Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove or other open-flame device. Applying too much heat too fast can cause the ice inside the pipe to fracture and rupture resulting in flooding.

“There have been instances when property owners have used torches or other heating methods in an unsafe manner, resulting in fires that caused significant property damage and even loss of life,” states Idaho Falls Fire Department Public Information Officer Kerry Hammon. “We never want to see that happen again.”

If you can’t locate the frozen area, the area isn’t accessible or if you can’t thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.

Click here for tips on preventing frozen waterlines.