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We may be dodging rain showers to wrap up November, but that brief taste of colder temperatures earlier this month gave us a glimpse of what’s to come with winter on the horizon.
Every year, Louisville Water’s customer service center sees an influx of calls from customers reporting “no water”. The majority of the time, the frozen pipe (or pipes) is actually the homeowner’s plumbing. While Louisville Water can only help if it’s our service line, we can provide some easy-to-follow tips on protecting your pipes.
Start by increasing the flow of warmer air around them.
- Wrap exposed pipes with insulating material which you can buy at a hardware store.
- Open cabinet doors to allow heat to circulate around the pipes.
- If your home has a crawl space, cover the outside vents to prevent arctic air from freezing the pipes.
- Remember to disconnect any outside hoses and turn off the water supply to outside faucets.
- If your house has a slab foundation, close the garage door. Some water pipes are located under concrete floors in the garage.
When temperatures reach 32 degrees or below, it’s a good idea to keep water moving through the pipes. The steady flow helps prevent freezing. Whether you use the the “trickle” or “drip” method, we suggest running a small amount of water from a cold-water faucet in those areas with exposed pipes or a history of freezing.
Know where your main water shutoff valve is located.
This is important to know regardless of the weather because emergencies can happen any time of year. This valve controls the flow of water into your house. Turning off the water in the event of a burst pipe can minimize the damage. The shutoff valve is usually located near the water heater, in the basement, or in a utility closet. Once you find it, attach a waterproof tag or ribbon so everyone in the home can easily locate it.
Pure Tap pro-tip:
It’s a good idea to be aware of your normal water usage. This information is helpful when you see an unexpected increase from one billing cycle to the next. We’ve made it easier to track your usage in the Pure Connect℠ portal.
