It doesn't take long for meters and pipes to freeze during extreme cold spells, especially when temperatures dip below 32F. If your pipes or meter freezes, you will not have water. As we head into the coldest months of the season, it's important to protect your pipes as much as possible. Preventative measures include:
Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hosebibs
Remove your garden hose from the outdoor spigot. Then drain all of the water out of your hose for proper storage. Turn off your water supply to all outdoor spigots and "turn on" your faucets outside to drain any remaining water before turning it off again.
When Temperatures Dip, Let it Drip!
To keep water flowing through the pipes in your home, let your faucets drip. If you are concerned about wasting water, place a jug underneath to catch the drips and use it to water indoor plants! The amount of water used for this purpose costs significantly less than it would cost to fix the damage from a frozen pipe.
Insulate your pipes
Insulate pipes in unheated spaces like the garage, in unfinished basement areas and under cabinets along outside walls. Pipe insulation is relatively inexpensive and can be purchased at any home improvement or hardware store.
Cabinet Doors Open
During extreme cold spells, leave cabinet doors open so warm air can circulate better. If you do this, make sure to remove any hazardous materials so that children and pets can't have access.
Set the Thermostat
Whether you’re at home or away traveling, keep your thermostat set no lower than 55F. Travelers will often make the mistake of turning their thermostats off thinking it will save on their heating bill when in reality, they'll come home to frozen pipes.
Monitor the Weather
Keep an eye on the weather forecast to know when to take precautions. Make sure to keep your garage door closed, especially if there are water supply lines located in there, when temperatures dip.