Plan Ahead So You Can Be Prepared!
Forecast: COLD!!
The Utility Maintenance Department would like to help residents prevent costly plumbing repairs and damage to their homes. Forecasted extremely cold temperatures and low wind chills can cause significant water issues. Following these tips may help prevent frozen or broken pipes:
Prevent Frozen Pipes:
If you have experienced frozen pipes in the past, keep a small trickle of water running from the highest faucet in your home. During extremely cold periods, the trickle should be about the size of a pencil point. You will be billed for the water used, but this may help prevent more expensive plumbing repairs caused by burst pipes.
Disconnect Garden Hoses:
Disconnect and drain all garden hoses. This helps prevent outside faucets and pipes from freezing, leaking, or breaking.
Seal Out Cold Air:
Close outside vents, crawl spaces, and doors to prevent cold air from entering your home.
Open Cabinet Doors:
If a sink is located against an outside wall, open cabinet doors overnight to allow warm air to circulate around water pipes.
If Your Home Will Be Vacant:
If you plan to turn off the heat, drain all water from pipes, toilets, and the water heater. Turn off the power supply to the water heater. If the heater operates on gas, set it to “pilot.”
Protect Exposed Pipes:
Wrap pipes that are exposed to cold or freezing temperatures with heat tape, available at most hardware stores. Heat tape must remain plugged in throughout the winter.
