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.
Photo: a faucet dripping lightly

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.

Photo: an outdoor frozen faucet