WINTER 2022-2023
Local residents are urged to implement protective measures for their water pipes as temperatures will drop below freezing. Frozen water expands, potentially bursting the pipe and when it thaws, you have a leak that can cause considerable damage.
Tips you need to know – if your residence is not well insulated or has a history of frozen pipes.
- Allow an inside faucet to drip slightly!. 10 gallons of water cost less than 10 cents, repairing a leak and the subsequent damage could cost thousands.
- Insulate all exposed pipes and enclose crawl spaces.
- Plug up drafty cracks and repair broken window panes.
- Remove hoses from outside faucets and be sure all outside faucets are drained and shut off.
- Know how to turn off your water at the shut off valve at your home or business in case of a frozen pipe burst.
- Keep meter box lids closed to prevent freezing.
What to do if you are going out of town during freezing weather:
- Turn off your water at either the shut off valve at the residence or at the water meter.
- Open a faucet in the lower section of a residence to allow air into the pipes to prevent the ice expansion that breaks the pipe.
- In addition to the tips above, keep the temperature in your home at least 55 degrees and open all cabinets against outside walls.
If you wake up and have no water after a cold night, first check to see if all faucets are not working. Often times, just one faucet may freeze such as under a cabinet.
If you do have a frozen pipe, open a faucet and use a blow dryer to heat the pipe. Do not use a torch!!
