With the weather only seeming to get colder, the City of Elkhart Water Utility has shared some warnings about frozen pipes.
Frozen water pipes can happen in structures with pipes of any material, and they can minimize or entirely prevent water flow which can lead to pipes bursting.
To help prevent this problem during the frigid temperatures, you should open cabinet doors in kitchens and bathrooms where water lines may be against exterior walls.
Letting your warm water drip may help prevent pipes from freezing, and looking for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes can keep cold air out and warm air in.
If you have any questions, call your water utility’s billing office.
A few items for Property Managers and Maintenance personnel to check on from the South Bend Fire Department:
- Consider checking dry sprinkler systems and ensuring they are draining at the low point drains on a regular basis. Free of ice and debris.
- Check on sprinkled buildings where the riser room is in a location subject to freezing weather and ensure adequate heat is on in the riser room.
Often, the small heaters in these rooms have the heat turned down during the summer, and no one checks these rooms to turn the heat back up in the winter.
- Check on restricted ceiling areas where heat may not transfer, many water lines freeze above the ceiling tiles.
- As the snow/ice arrives, ensure that all marked exits from buildings have their sidewalks cleared to a public way. DO NOT allow snow and ice to pile next to an emergency exit.
As always, if you have any questions concerning building/fire issues, please contact us the South Bend Fire Department at 574-235-9255 and or DIAL911 in an emergency.
