DALTON, Mass. — With the expected snow and frigid weather this weekend the Water Department wants to remind people to take precautions to prevent frozen or broken water pipes. 

 

A clipper system will bring Arctic temperatures to the Northeast with lows in the teens and single digits over the weekend.

 

Temperatures are expected to drop as low as minus-6 degrees on Friday and remain extremely cold into next week, the department said. 

 

During the freezing weather water inside the pipe freezes and expands, which can cause the pipes to crack or split. At first the damage is not obvious but once the ice thaws, the water flows out causing sudden leaks or, in some cases major flooding, Water Superintendent Robert Benlien said. 

 

To prevent damage to the pipes, Benlien recommended residents follow the following to protect the pipes. 

 

• Keep your heat set at a consistent temperature (even overnight)

• Let faucets drip slightly, especially those on exterior walls

• Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate

• Disconnect outdoor hoses and close inside shutoff valves

• Insulate exposed pipes in basements, crawl spaces, and garages

 

"Moving water doesn't freeze,” Benlien said, demonstrating that the water should run a little more than a drip. 

 

Unlike heat, which rises, cold air sinks, he said. 

 

So when cold air enters the home through a window, floor, or poorly insulated external, the air will go down to where the pipes are and could freeze the pipes. 

 

There are a lot of variables to whether the pipes freeze, such as the duration of the cold temperature, the age and location of the pipes, insulation level, drafts and air leaks, water movement, indoor temperature, and more, Benlien explained. 

 

If the popes do freeze, the department has directed people to use warm air, such as from a hair dryer and space heater, to slowly thaw the pipe, not to use an open flame or torch. 

 

If a pipe bursts, shut off your main water valve and call a plumber. If there is a loss of water services, call your local water department.