Keep your pipes from freezing in cold temperatures with these tips

Temperatures in Northeast Iowa will be dropping this week.  Wind chills are predicted to be in the -50's by Wednesday. Many homeowners become concerned with freezing pipes when temperatures dip that low.

Decorah Water Department Superintendent Todd Ihde suggests checking any exposed water line in basements to make sure there is no cold air or drafts around those pipes. "If you've had frozen pipes before in an area, I would put a small heater in that area or even open sink or vanity doors to allow heat inside the cabinet," suggests Ihde.

"As far as your water service entering the house, you could take the temperature of the running water--normally we don't get to concerned until it drops to 40 degrees or below.  With the snow cover now, the frost should slow down. The temperatures of our wells in Decorah last Friday averaged 50 degrees," says Ihde.