As temperatures drop during fall and winter, improperly insulated water pipes can freeze and rupture. Expansion caused by freezing water is also a common cause for leaky pipes.

If you have a water leak emergency, call our trouble line at (253) 502-8384.

Protect your plumbing for winter with these easy steps:

1. Insulate exposed pipes, valves, and hose bibs. This includes pipes located outdoors, in attics, crawl spaces, basements, and garages. Pipe insulation and insulating material for hose bibs is available at many hardware stores.
2. Shut off and drain outside faucets. If your hose bibs have individual shutoff valves, turn off the water supply for individual hose bibs and open hose bibs to drain faucets. Disconnect and drain your garden hoses.
3. Shut off and drain your outdoor irrigation system or other water fixtures.
4. Cover footing or foundation vents during very cold weather.
5. Keep heat on and set your thermostat no lower than 55° F while away from home.
6. If you are leaving your house for an extended period of time, ask someone to check your home or office daily to ensure the heat remains on.
7. Locate your emergency shutoff and learn how to turn off your water supply.

If there will be an extended freeze, you may want to:

1. Let water trickle from the faucet on the outside wall furthest from your water meter.
2. Open cabinet doors inside your house to allow warm air to circulate.