BIDDEFORD, Maine, Dec. 3, 2024 — With freezing temperatures setting in for another season, homeowners can take a few simple steps to prevent costly damage to water pipes caused by freezing.
The meters and the pipes connected to it are often close to outside walls, making them particularly vulnerable to freezing if heat fails or during a significant cold snap. As water freezes it expands, which can block the flow of water and crack pipes.
Property owners are responsible for the water service line from the curb to the house, as well as any in-home piping including the water meter. Water inside the meter can freeze, damaging it and requiring replacement of the meter at the homeowners’ expense.
We encourage customers to take the following precautions to reduce freezing or bursting pipes, as well as any damage to the water meter.
Know what areas of your home are most vulnerable to freezing
Pipes located in basements, crawl spaces, unheated rooms, and outside walls are at a higher risk of freezing.
Eliminate sources of cold air near water lines
Allow room heat to freely circulate around these areas. Seal cracks or holes in windows, walls, or doors near the meter or pipes.
Know the location of your main water shut-off valve
If a pipe freezes or bursts, you will want to know where to shut off the water immediately.
Protect your pipes and water meter
Wrap exposed pipes with insulation or use electrical heat tracing wire; newspaper or fabric may also work. For outside meters, keep the lid to the meter pit closed tightly and let any snow remain on the cover. Snow acts as insulation.
If you have pipes that are susceptible to freezing
Allow a small trickle of water to run overnight to keep them from freezing up. The cost of extra water is low compared to cost of repairing a broken pipe.
Expose pipes to warmer room temperatures
Let warm air to freely circulate the area. Set up a small space heater for pipes that are more likely to freeze.
Check for cracks in the vault cover of outside meter
A cracked cover permits cold air to enter and all insulation value to be lost. The Double cover is then unable to protect against freezing.
Do Not attempt to thaw frozen pipes with running water. Immediately shut off water!
Apply heat to the frozen pipe by warming air around it
Applying heat directly to a pipe works as well, use a hair dryer or space heater. Be sure to never leave space heaters unattended. Avoid use of kerosene heaters and open flames to heat pipes.
Once pipes have thawed
Turn water back on slowly and check for cracks and leaks.
If you are away during a cold snap
Have a friend, relative, or neighbor check the property to make sure the heat is functioning correctly and pipes have not frozen.
Report water running in the road
Maine Water advises that subfreezing temperatures can cause water main breaks and create icy road surfaces. If your water service is disrupted, or you see a water running in the road that does not appear to be caused by snow melt, rain, or any other obvious source, then it may be a sign of a damaged water main, please contact our 24-7 customer service center at 1.800.286.1643.