Frozen pipes aren't just inconvenient—they can cause significant damage to your home. Every year in the U.S., approximately 250,000 homes suffer damage from water pipes that freeze and break.

Even in our moderate climate, cold overnight temperatures can cause pipes to freeze. Frost can occur anywhere in the LVMWD service area but is quite common in canyon areas or at higher elevations.

Water expands when it freezes, causing pipes to crack or burst. Before cold weather hits, insulate water pipes that are exposed and most susceptible to freezing.

Follow these simple steps to prevent pipes from freezing:

1. Locate the water source line that comes into your home. Most likely, it will be near the foundation area, above ground, where the pipe enters the house.

2. Use insulation tape or an insulation sleeve (sample pictured right) to wrap around the pipeline.

3. If you have exposed pipes that run through non-insulated areas of your house, these sections should also be wrapped with insulation tape or a foam insulation sleeve. Don’t forget to insulate exposed irrigation lines.

As temperatures warm, many frozen pipes will thaw naturally; but the plumbing system should be carefully inspected for leaks, especially small cracks. As a precaution, be sure you know how to locate and operate the water shutoff valve for your home.

When attempting to thaw pipes, DO NOT use a blowtorch or other open flame device. Instead, use a hair dryer, heat tape (available at hardware stores) or an electric heating pad wrapped around the frozen pipe to gently thaw.