December 19, 2023 - Dealing with frozen pipes and the damage caused to a home if the pipe bursts can be a costly affair, often running the thousands of dollars in repair bills. As winter begins this week, City Utilities offers three tips every homeowner should know to protect their pipes from freezing temperatures.
1. Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses.
By disconnecting and draining outdoor hoses, you are preventing a hard freeze from bursting outdoor faucets and water lines leading to it. Drain and coil the hose, then store it in the garage or basement to prevent damage from cold temperatures.
Some homes have a separate valve for outdoor faucets—and if this is the case for you, be sure to shut off the water supply to the outdoor faucet.
2. Know the location of the main water shutoff valve.
Most homes have a master valve that allows you to turn off all the water coming into the house. If a pipe breaks, turning the main valve off can stop flooding. You might want to tag the valve so it’s easy to locate in an emergency and show other family members the location.
3. Insulate the meter, pipes, or faucets in unheated areas.
To prevent pipes from freezing, wrap the pipes that run through unheated garages or crawl spaces using insulating tape or a molded flexible pipe sleeve sold at many hardware stores and cover the entire length of the exposed pipe.
Meters in a garage should be in an insulated box. If located outside in a pit, make sure the lid is not broken or missing.