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Alabama and much of the Southeast is bracing for a series of freezing temperatures.

How cold?

The National Weather Service warned that temperatures for December 1. 23, 24 and 25 could be among the coldest Alabama has seen in years with temperatures dropping into the single digits.

With the biting cold, there are risks for frozen pipes. Water expands when it freezes, and the expansion can put pressure on anything in it, including metal or plastic pipes. These pipes can then burst.

The pipes most at risk of freezing are those that are exposed to severe cold, such as outdoor bibs, swimming pool supply lines, and sprinkler lines. Water supply lines in unheated interior areas such as basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages or kitchen cabinets or pipes that run against poorly or uninsulated exterior walls are also at risk. risk.

READ MORE: How cold will it be at Christmas? And what about the snow?

The Red Cross has some tips for protecting your pipes from freezing:

• Drain the water from the pool and water supply lines following the manufacturer’s or installer’s instructions. Do not put antifreeze in these lines unless otherwise specified. Antifreeze is harmful to the environment and dangerous to humans, pets, wildlife and landscaping.
• Remove, drain and store hoses used outdoors. Close interior valves supplying exterior hose bibs. Open the faucets outside the pipe to allow the water to flow. Keep the outside valve open so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing the pipe to rupture.
• Add insulation to attics, basements and crawl spaces. Insulation will maintain higher temperatures in these areas.
• Check around the house for other areas where water supply lines are located in unheated areas. Look in the garage and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Hot and cold water pipes in these areas should be insulated.
• Consider installing specific products designed to insulate water lines such as “pipe sleeving” or installing “heating tape”, “heating cable” or similar UL listed materials on exposed water lines . Newsprint can provide some degree of insulation and protection to exposed pipes – even ¼” newsprint can provide significant protection in areas that don’t typically have frequent or prolonged below freezing temperatures.
• Consider relocating exposed pipes for added freeze protection.

How to prevent pipes from freezing

• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move harmful cleaners and household chemicals out of the reach of children.
• When it is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the tap served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe – even a trickle – helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• Keep the thermostat set at the same temperature day and night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you risk a higher heating bill, but you can avoid a much more expensive repair job if the pipes freeze and burst.
• If you go on a cold day, leave the heat in your home set to no lower than 55°F.

How to Thaw Frozen Pipes

• If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
• Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt the ice in the pipe.
• Apply heat to the pipe section using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable heater (away from flammable materials), or by wrapping the pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a torch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove or other open flame appliance.
• Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you cannot locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you cannot thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
• Check all the other faucets in your home to see if you have any other frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze as well.