Each winter, one or two ELCO customers come home to find their basement flooded. While they were away, a pipe froze and broke. It is important that the heat is kept on in homes that are empty during the winter. Irrigation systems should be drained and winterized each fall. Pipes or faucets in unheated areas need to be insulated or drained.

The most common mistake homeowners make is forgetting to disconnect and drain outdoor hoses. Detaching the hose allows water to drain from the faucet. If a hose remains attached to an outdoor faucet, freezing temperatures can burst the faucet or the pipe that supplies the faucet.

If you find a frozen pipe, carefully try to thaw it with a hair dryer. If that doesn't work, call a plumber. In extremely cold weather, it is not uncommon for water meters to freeze. Call the ELCO office if you believe your water meter has frozen.