Frozen Water
When temperatures are consistently at or below freezing:
- Maintain a continuous drip of water (the size of a pencil lead stream)
- Open cabinet doors to expose pipes to warmer room temperatures to help keep them from freezing.
- Keep thermosatats set to the same temperature during the day and night.
- Insulate your pipes
- Cover outdoor water spigots
- Turn off sprinkler systems
- Disconnect water hoses
- Close garage doors
If your pipes freeze:
- Shut off the water immediately. Don't attempt to thaw frozen pipes unless the water is shut off. Freezing can often cause unseen cracks in pipes or joints.
- Apply heat to the frozen pipe by warming the air around it, or by applying heat directly to a pipe. You can use a hair dryer, space heater or hot water. Be sure not to leave space heaters unattended, and avoid the use of kerosene heaters or open flames.
- Once the pipes have thawed, turn the water back on slowly and check for cracks and leaks.
If your water meter freezes:
DO NOT attempt to thaw the water meter or supply line yourself! Attempting to thaw could result in a misdemeanor and you could be liable for all damages.
Call City Hall at (208)228-3220 during normal business hours, water meters and supply lines will be thawed during regular business hours by appointment.
- Charges for the City to thaw the water meter and supply line:
- First time: Free
- 2nd or More-Property Owner will be charged for Laber Per Man hours, equipment hours, and all replacement parts.
- Thaws are counted from Novemeber 1st-March 31st.
- After the 1st thaw, property owners will be required to drip their water countinuously to prevent freezing.