Cold Weather Protection

Preferably before the cold sets in, locate your main water shut-off valve and hang an I.D. tag on it so you can find it quickly in an emergency. In many homes, it is located near the water meter or close to where the water pipe enters the home.
If your pipes do freeze, you will need to be able to turn off your water immediately. Do NOT attempt to thaw the pipes without doing so.
Please note: If your pipes do freeze, we do not thaw our frozen meters or service lines.

We recommend that you locate and test your main water shut-off valve.

American Water Shut-Off Valves Labels

It’s a good idea to test your main water shut-off valve to be sure it works properly. To test, slowly close it. If you have a ball valve, it generally only requires a quarter turn to close. Gate valves are generally closed by turning the handle clockwise and should turn easily. You may need to have it serviced if it does not close easily.

Once the shut-off valve is completely closed, check sinks and other water fixtures to make sure you found the main water valve and that it is working properly. If no water comes out of any faucets, CONGRATULATIONS, you found your shut-off valve!

Need a tag? Download the Water Main Shut-off Valve cut-out print-ready file.

Checklist to help avoid frozen pipes this winter:

  1. Check sprinkler or irrigation systems. Make sure everything is turned off and drained.
  2. Eliminate sources of cold air near water lines. Fix drafty windows and plug drafts around doors.
  3. If pipes run through cabinets or vanities, open the doors to let warmer room temperatures flow in.
  4. Protect your pipes. Wrap them with insulation.
  5. When temperatures fall below freezing, keep water moving through the pipes by allowing a small trickle of water to run.

BEFORE THE COLD SETS IN:

 

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Check Sprinkler Or Irrigation Systems
Make sure you’ve turned everything off and fully drained the system.

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Identify Your Home’s Freezing Points
Check for pipes in areas prone to freezing, such as crawl spaces, unheated rooms, basements, garages, and exterior walls.

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Know How To Shut Off Your Water
Label your water main valve so you can find it quickly in an emergency

 

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Strengthen Your Defenses
Eliminate sources of cold air near water lines by closing off crawl Spaces, fixing drafty windows, insulating walls and attics, and plugging drafts around doors.

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Protect Your Pipes
Where pipes are exposed to cold, wrap them with insulation or heat tape (even fabric or newspaper can help).

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WHEN TEMPERATURES STAY BELOW FREEZING:

 

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Give Pipes A Helping Hand
If pipes run through cabinets or vanities, open the door to let warmer room temperatures flow in.

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Keep Water Working
Keep water moving through pipes by allowing a small trickle of water to run. The cost of the extra water is typically lower than the cost of repairing a broken pipe. Customers can capture water in a container for watering indoor plants and other uses.

BUT IF YOUR PIPES DO FREEZE:

 

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Shut Off The Water Immediately
Don’t attempt to thaw pipes without turning off the main shut-off valve.

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Thaw Pipes With Warm Air
Melt the frozen water in the pipe by warming the air around it. Be sure not to leave space heaters unattended and avoid the use of kerosene heaters or open flames.

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Be Careful Turning The Water Back On
Once pipes are thawed, slowly turn the water back on and check pipes and joints for cracks or leaks that might have been caused by freezing.