SEASONAL WATER USAGE & TIPS

WINTER WEATHER WATER TIPS

During the fall months, there are several things that homeowners can do to protect their homes from winter water damage. Before the cold weather hits, be sure:

Outside water faucets are opened, and inside the home the line is closed.
Locate and mark the main water valve for your home and make sure the adults in your house know where it is located. Water damage can be minimized if all adults know where to turn off the water in case of an emergency.
Consider insulating any pipes that are near outside walls, under the home (in crawl spaces) or in the attic.

If you have had problems with lines freezing in the past, inspect the lines before the winter hits. In addition to insulating the pipes, seal any gaps in the walls with caulk or other means. Check with your local hardware store for other effective ways of insulating and sealing gaps. In the event that your pipes do freeze, remember that you should never thaw pipes with an open flame. It is best to use a small portable heater, or a hair dryer. Please make sure you are careful about electric shock around standing water!

If you plan on going out of town for any extended period of time, you may consider keeping your heat over 60 degrees F. You may also drain the water from your lines inside your home and you can contact our office so we may turn the water off at the street.

During a winter storm there is always the probability that you will lose power to your home. If the power will be off for a long period of time, turn the water off at the main shut off valve in your home. Open faucets in all levels of your home to allow for expansion should any water left in the lines freeze.

If you notice anything unusual like unfrozen puddles or large pools of water, please contact us so we can shut off the water at the road. If you have a water pipe that has broken in your home or on your property, you will have to contact an independent contractor to fix any damage that occurs within your property.

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