Please take precautions so your outdoor faucets do not freeze in the winter:
Detach your garden hoses prior to the onset of freezing temperatures.
Then close the shut-off valves on the pipe(s) which lead to your outdoor faucets, if available.
Finally, open the outdoor faucets so that any residual water can drain, if you have shut off the valves.
Indoor faucets may freeze in very cold weather:
Try leaving the cabinet doors under the faucets open so that they can receive more heat.
In extreme cases, such as multiple days of below freezing temperatures, allow hot and cold water to trickle at a slow rate into the sinks. Please remember, if the water volume is too high, you risk overflowing the sink.
Insulate all water pipes which may be exposed to freezing temperatures or wind. Water pipes not in use should be drained in areas where they may be vulnerable to severely cold weather.
If there is plumbing in your garage, be sure to keep the garage door closed. Pipes in unheated garages and attics should be insulated.
Water heaters in garages or attics should be insulated against the cold as well with an approved Hot Water Heater Blanket.
If your pipes do freeze:
Turn off the water at the main shut-off valve to minimize problems as the ice melts.
Leave the faucets on to relieve pressure when the ice begins to melt.
If necessary, use a blow dryer or heat gun to thaw frozen pipes.
DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTATNCES, USE A BLOW TORCH OR ANY TYPE OF OPEN FLAME TO WARM UP AND/OR THAW YOUR PIPES.
Irrigation system backflow preventers need to be protected from freezing temperatures just as your pipes, outdoor faucets, and water heaters do:
Please see the diagram for directions to winterizing your backflow preventers.
Insulation “bags” may be purchased at your favorite hardware / plumbing / home improvement store. These will protect but the shutting off as explained below is also necessary to prevent a major plumbing expense.
