Protecting Your Residential Plumbing Pipes

It's important to protect your home plumbing pipes and inside water meter from freezing and bursting.

Here are some Winterizing tips:

• Repair broken windows, doors and walls.
• Tightly close all doors and windows.
• Insulate outside walls
• Inquire with your local hardware store about materials to insulate pipes and meters
• Seal all leaks in crawl spaces and basements.
• Cover vents from the inside with insulation, cardboard, plastic or newspaper, if they will not close. 
• Turn off the water to outside faucets, remove hoses and drain the pipes.

If a Pipe Freezes:

• Completely open the cold water faucet nearest the frozen pipe. This relieves the pressure and reduce the chance of breakage.
• Use a hand-held dryer if you decide to thaw the pipe yourself; and
• If you're not certain what to do, call a registered plumber.

For our customers who take extended vacations during winter months, see the Winterizing Tips for more detailed information on winterizing your home.

While no one can guarantee against frozen or broken pipes, it is important to take these preventive steps.  Customers may also contact a registered Master Plumber to perform any of these winterization tips.