Preventing and Addressing Frozen Pipes in Elkins

Update: As of Monday, February 2, the Water Department has experienced a high volume of calls because of the extremely cold temperatures. The Facebook post is here. Please understand that if your pipes have burst or frozen, know that there will be an extended wait. If your call comes after working hours or on weekends, and the problem is not the Water Dept.’s water meter, there will be a charge for responding to your call. In the meantime, the head of the Water Dept. advises residents to leave at least one faucet in your home on at a steady drip, or a trickle that’s about the width of a pencil lead. The Water Dept. only has 8 employees who can respond to these kinds of calls. Thank you for your patience.

The extremely cold temperatures we’re experiencing this week can leave you and your loved ones without water and lead to costly property damage from burst pipes. The City of Elkins Water Department encourages all residents to take simple, preventive steps during severe cold snaps.

How to Contact the Elkins Water Department for Assistance

If a plumber isn’t available and you have no other options, you may call the Elkins Water Department:

• Daytime Hours (5:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Monday-Saturday):
  Call the Water Department directly at 681-298-5200.
• After Hours & Weekends:
  For non-emergency assistance, requests are handled through our local 911 center. Please call (304) 636-2000.
  Please note: A $25 surcharge will be applied if the issue is determined to be on the customer’s side of the water meter.

Quick, No-Cost Tips to Avoid Burst Pipes in Winter

To prevent pipes from freezing during this extremely cold weather, follow these no-cost actions:

• Keep the Heat On: Set your thermostat to at least 50°F, even when you are away from home. This maintains warmth in walls and crawl spaces where pipes are located.
• Let Faucets Drip: Allow a slow, steady drip from at least one indoor faucet, especially those on exterior walls. This relieves pressure in your building’s water system, which is the primary cause of burst pipes. This is most important overnight when winter temperatures drop far below freezing.
• Open Cabinet Doors: Open the doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks to let warm room air circulate around the plumbing. (For safety, first move household cleaners or chemicals out of reach of children and pets.)

The above steps are not a 100% guarantee that your home’s pipes won’t freeze; however, they are easy, no-cost solutions that residents can take to prevent such an emergency.

If You Suspect a Frozen Pipe

If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle of water comes out, you may have a frozen pipe.

1. Keep the faucet open.
2. Gently warm the frozen section of pipe using a hair dryer, heating pad, or towels soaked in warm water.
3. Never, ever use an open flame or blowtorch, as this is a fire hazard and can damage pipes.
4. If you cannot locate the frozen section, cannot thaw it, or if a pipe has burst, you will need to contact a licensed plumber for repairs, or call the Elkins Water Department or the non-emergency dispatch as a last resort.

Long-Term Prevention

For a more permanent solution, consider insulating pipes in unheated areas like basements, crawl spaces, and garages. Insulation is an affordable and effective way to protect your home during future winters.