Tips For Winterizing Your Plumbing

Graphic: A snowflake surrounded by the words Winter Is Here, Protect Your Pipes

There are several measures that can be taken to prevent winter water disasters:

Find Your Main Shut-Off Valve!

Don’t wait! Imagine the panic you would feel if water started pouring through the house from a broken pipe. Locate the main shut-off valve, mark it, and make sure everyone in the household knows where it is.

Photo: someone turning the main water valve in their home.

Helping to Prevent Frozen Water Pipes:

Seal any air drafts around fixtures.
Insulate pipes in unheated areas.
When freezing weather is in the forecast, turn off the water to outside spigots and drain all water from the line.
Drain in-ground lawn irrigation systems. (Check manufacturer instructions for best method.)
Report broken or missing meter lids to Prince William Water to help prevent frozen meters.
Set the thermostat to no less than 55° F or simply shut off the main valve to protect pipes during extended absences from home in the winter.
When temperatures are in the teens and below, leave faucets dripping with cold water to prevent water from freezing in pipes.

If Your Water Pipes Freeze:

Turn on the closest cold water faucet to relieve pressure from expanding ice in pipes.
Wrap towels soaked with warm water around pipes to gradually thaw them.
DO NOT attempt using a blow torch or hairdryer to thaw frozen pipes since intense heat can cause them to crack or burst.

Please call Prince William Water Emergency Dispatch at (703) 335-7990 if you have a total service disruption.