Fond du Lac city officials are encouraging residents to take steps to make sure their water pipes don’t freeze during this bitter cold snap. The Fond du Lac Water Utility says you can safeguard your property by taking a few simple precautions:
Assure the basement temp is above freezing, insulate pipes or faucets, heat tape on pipes in Crawl spaces and other unheated areas, seal off cracks and air vents, open cabinets and closets That contain water lines to allow circulation of warm air and know where the master shutoff valve Is so water can be quickly turned off if there is a leak.
Check empty and vacant buildings to ensure heat is maintained. If you are out of town, have a neighbor or relative periodically check the property. Significant frost or condensation on windows maybe an indication a heating system has failed, and water may be running due to frozen/broken pipes.
Property owners are responsible to warm pipes in unheated locations of the dwelling and protect water meters from freezing. If the meter is damaged from freezing the owner may be responsible for the replacement cost. Care needs to be taken when thawing frozen pipes. Apply heat to the section of frozen pipe using an electric hair dryer, or by wrapping an electric heating pad around the pipe. Do not use a torch, kerosene or propane heater, or any open flame.
