Cold Weather Tips

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