Despite dozens of broken pipes, water mains and sprinkler systems already this week, local water officials warn that the next few days could be even worse.
Patrick Turnbull, director of environmental services for Montgomery County, told county officials that frozen water pipes traditionally fail more often when they quickly re-thaw.
That scenario is likely, as high temperatures in the Dayton area are projected to reach 32 degrees Thursday, then hit 40 degrees and above all weekend.
City of Dayton Water Director Tammi Clements said residents worried about their pipes should open cabinet doors to let the home's heat get to the pipes. She said letting faucets drip may not be enough, and suggested running a light stream of both cold and hot water to keep pipes from freezing. And she said if you have reason to doubt whether your pipes will hold up, calling a plumber in advance is much cheaper than an eventual burst pipe with water damage. Anyone who suspects a water main break should contact the city.
To thaw already frozen pipes, the American Red Cross suggests warming the area with a hair dryer, heating pad, or hot towels, and leave the faucet open. Do not use a blow torch or open flame device.
Plumbing problems reported this week:
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
- A leak in the sprinkler system released water into the Early Years Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force on Wednesday. The leak was blamed on the cold weather, the Air Force said. Visitors, staff and volunteers were evacuated as a safety precaution for about 30 minutes before being permitted back into the museum. Cleanup efforts began immediately in coordination with the base fire department and civil engineering. A portion of the gallery will remain closed until it can be safely reopened. Another leak was discovered Wednesday morning in the Presidential Gallery. The gallery is expected to be open as scheduled Thursday through Sunday. Wednesday's incident in the Early Years Gallery follows another evacuation on Friday, Jan. 3, when another leak affected the museum lobby and entryway to the Air Force Museum Theatre.
Fairborn
- About 50 Wright State University students were evacuated from Cimarron Woods, an apartment building in the 1300 block of Cimarron Circle near campus Wednesday afternoon for a water main break. Fairborn Fire Chief Mike Riley said water was found leaking on the fourth floor, but that most of the students would be able to return to their apartments this evening. One Fairborn firefighter suffered a minor shoulder injury when he was trying to get into a crawl space, Riley said.
Lebanon
- Residents in two neighborhoods on Lebanon's north side were without water Wednesday morning due to a pump station malfunction, officials said. About 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, residents living in more than 300 homes in the neighborhoods north of Miller Road lost water service. Water service continued at Lebanon JHS, just east of the neighborhoods, Principal Ian Frank said.
West Carrollton
- The city was experiencing two water main breaks on Wednesday morning. One is located near 336 Orchard Hill Drive and the other is located near the intersection of North Alex Road and East Central Avenue near Wendy's Restaurant. Due to the freezing temperatures, the breaks cannot be repaired immediately. Drivers should observe the traffic cone detours and avoid the area if possible. The service department will repair the breaks as soon as weather permits. Business operators and residents located near the breaks may experience a drop in water pressure. However, the water is safe to drink.
Dayton
- The Downtown Dayton YMCA closed indefinitely Tuesday after a pipe ruptured and caused major flooding. YMCA Executive Director Larry Dryden said the busted pipe caused major flooding and it's unclear when the facility will reopen.
- Several buildings at the University of Dayton suffered flooding Tuesday night. Fire Capt. Larry Ables said significant flooding occurred in the UD School of Law, 300 College Park Ave., and at the bookstore in Marianist Hall. Fallen ceiling tiles and what appeared to be a wet floor could be seen through the glass doors of the bookstore. Computer equipment was also covered in plastic.
- A frozen fire sprinkler line ruptured at River's Edge Montesorri school on Tuesday, sending water onto furniture and the carpeted floor in four rooms. The sprinkler line has been repaired and the damage has been cleaned up, Jill Moberley, spokeswoman for Dayton Public Schools, said Tuesday evening. The damage to the rooms at the school, 108 Linwood St., was minimal, she said, and the school will be ready for students when the district reopens.
- A water main break was reported at Kings Highway and Arlene Avenue Tuesday, crews set up cones around the site to warn motorists and mark the location.
Beavercreek
- Firefighters swept out water from the foyer of the Cheesecake Factory at The Greene, after a pipe in the sprinkler system ruptured Tuesday evening. The restaurant was evacuated, but the water didn't do any damage as it fell in the foyer and was pushed out the door. Battalion Chief Bryon Betsinger estimated a couple hundreds gallons came pouring out of the broken pipe.
Springboro
- Four classrooms flooded at Springboro High School and at Dennis Elementary Tuesday evening. Electricity and water was shut off in both schools. The high school was able to open on Wednesday, but Dennis Elementary was closed.
Trotwood
- Public works crews on Wednesday began working on six water main breaks in the city, the city's public works department said Wednesday afternoon. The breaks are on Woodcreek Road, North Eppington Drive, Sherry Drive and Sunrise Avenue. There are three breaks located on Whispering Drive.
Residents in the vicinity of these repairs may experience intermittent drop offs in water pressure, according to Dalton Hines, interim public works director. - Several vacant businesses filled with water and several occupied businesses may have sustained damage after frozen pipes either burst or leaked Wednesday morning at the Consumer Square Shopping Center. Around 2:45 a.m. Trotwood police discovered six to eight inches of water flowing from the front doors of the vacant units at 5475 Salem Ave. DOTS and Pro Nails also had some water inside the businesses. The water flowing from the store fronts filled the parking lot of the shopping center, freezing over in many spots.
Logan County
- The Village of DeGraff in Logan County has issued a boil advisory and has asked residents to conserve water. The village's water and sewer lines are frozen, and the supply of water is limited, according to a release. Residents have been asked not to use any water unless, "absolutely necessary."
- The Village of Quincy announced a boil advisory on Wednesday. There is little or no water pressure due to main breaks.
