Preventing frozen pipes in Cleveland homes

Cleveland winters bring long stretches below freezing and bitter wind off the lake. A few simple steps now can save you from a burst pipe and a flooded basement later.

Which pipes are most at risk

Pipes freeze where cold air reaches them and heat doesn't. In Cleveland-area homes, watch these spots:

• Pipes along exterior walls, especially under kitchen and bathroom sinks
• Unheated crawlspaces, attics and garages
• Basement pipes near rim joists, windows or dryer vents where cold air leaks in
• Outdoor spigots and the lines that feed them
• Rooms over a garage or porch, and older homes with little wall insulation

Before the first hard freeze

1. Disconnect garden hoses. A hose left attached traps water in the spigot, where it can freeze and crack the line inside the wall.
2. Shut off and drain outdoor spigots. If you have an indoor shutoff for the spigot, close it and open the outside faucet to let it drain.
3. Insulate exposed pipes. Foam pipe sleeves are inexpensive and easy to install in basements, crawlspaces and garages.
4. Seal drafts. Caulk or foam gaps where pipes, cables and vents pass through exterior walls.
5. Find your main water shutoff. Know where it is and make sure it turns — before you need it in a hurry.

During a cold snap

• Let faucets drip. On the coldest nights, a slow drip from faucets on exterior walls keeps water moving and relieves pressure.
• Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls so warm room air can reach the pipes.
• Keep the heat steady. Don't let the thermostat drop too low at night or while you're at work.
• Keep the garage door closed if water lines run through the garage.

If a pipe freezes anyway

Signs of a frozen pipe include a faucet that only trickles or doesn't run at all, frost on an exposed pipe, or a bulge in the line.

1. Leave the faucet open. Running water helps melt the ice as the pipe warms.
2. Warm the pipe gently. Use a hair dryer, heating pad or space heater (kept a safe distance away), starting near the faucet and working back.
3. Never use an open flame — no torches, propane heaters or candles.
4. Call a plumber if you can't reach the frozen section, can't thaw it, or see any cracks.

Long-term fixes for problem pipes

If the same pipe freezes every winter, it's worth fixing for good. Options include rerouting the line away from an exterior wall, adding insulation, or installing frost-free outdoor spigots. We'll look at your setup and give you a written estimate before any work begins.