Don't let winter sneak up on you! Remember: a frozen water meter and/or frozen pipes are not only inconvenient, but they can also be expensive. Here are a few tips to keep your water flowing freely all winter.
Check Your Outside Faucets
- Disconnect all hoses from outside faucets
- Shut off and drain all outside faucets and lawn sprinkler systems
- If you don't have a separate shut-off valve for outside faucets, protect them with insulated covers
Eliminate Drafts
- Close all windows and doors near water lines
- Caulk around pipes where they enter the house
- Close foundation vents not needed for residential use
- Seal cracks in basement, crawl space, and other outside walls
Insulate Pipes
- Wrap pipes in unheated areas with weatherproof insulation or heat tape products
- In sub-freezing drip outside faucet 24 hours a day (5 drops per minute)
- In sustained freezing weather, let water drip slowly from inside faucets (a steady drip)
- Open cabinet doors under sinks adjacent to outside walls
- In unheated garages, shut the water off to washing machines and drain pipes
- Take extra precautions to protect pipes that have frozen in the past