ST. LOUIS — St. Louis is forecast to see a historically late first freeze late Monday night into Tuesday morning, and it could cause issues for countless pipes across the area.
The National Weather Service's St. Louis Office said temperatures may even drop into the low 20s, with a storm system possibly bringing the area's first snowfall Wednesday night into Thursday.
The American Red Cross recommends people let cold water drip from faucets whenever there are freezing temperatures. Water running through pipes, even at a slow trickle, can help prevent them from freezing. Water expands when it freezes. If the water inside of a pipe freezes, it can block part or all of the flow of water within the pipe, causing the pressure to increase, which in turn could cause the pipe to burst.
READ MORE: Yes, leaving faucets dripping during freezing weather can help prevent pipes from bursting
Here are the top five things to do before the freeze and why you should do them.
- Disconnect hoses. If outdoor hoses are left attached, stagnant water could freeze inside and back up into the pipes. Those pipes are then at risk of bursting.
- Blow out the sprinkler system. This requires an air compressor and some confidence. Getting the extra water out will prevent the system from freezing and cracking.
- Clear gutters. Clogged gutters won't allow excess moisture to escape. Water and ice can back up into roofing and potentially leak into homes.
- Inspect the chimney. Inspect for signs of damage and build-up. The Chimney Safety Institute of America said any soot over 1/8 of an inch is enough to cause a flue fire.
- Check furnaces. Change out the air filter. A clogged one could stop furnaces from running. The smell from starting up your heater for the first time is normal. Dust and hair burn off the heat exchanger, and it usually goes away after an hour or two. If something seems off with your system, be safe and call in a professional.