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Prevent Frozen Pipes

When temperatures drop, water can freeze inside your pipes. Frozen water expands and can cause pipes to leak or burst. A few simple steps can help protect your plumbing during cold weather.

Protect your pipes from freezing

  1. Insulate exposed pipes and outdoor faucets

    Insulate pipes, valves and outdoor faucets in areas that can get cold. Check pipes outdoors and in attics, crawl spaces, basements and garages. You can find pipe and faucet insulation at many hardware stores.

  2. Shut off and drain outdoor faucets

    If an outdoor faucet has its own shutoff valve, turn off the water to the faucet. Then open the faucet to drain any water left inside.

  3. Disconnect garden hoses

    Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor faucets before freezing weather arrives.

  4. Winterize your irrigation system

    This means getting it ready for cold weather by turning off your water fixtures and draining the water.

  5. Keep your home warm

    Keep the heat on. If you leave home, set your thermostat to at least 5°F.

  6. Ask someone to check your home

    If you will be away for a long time, ask someone to check your home each day. Make sure the heat is still working.

  7. Find your water shutoff valve

    Know where your emergency water shutoff valve is and learn how to use it before you need it.

Check for leaks after freezing weather

After freezing weather, check your water use in MyAccount. Your usage data can help you spot a leak or burst pipe. Most homes have some time during the day when they use no water. If your usage graph does not drop to zero over a 24-hour period, you may have a leak on your property.

You can also sign up for Water Leak Notifications in MyAccount. We can alert you by email, text message or both when changes in your water use may point to a leak.

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