Prepare Your Home for Winter with Missouri American Water's Essential Tips for Preventing Frozen Pipes
Getting Ready for the Winter Chill: A Guide to Protecting Your Plumbing
With winter right around the corner, it's crucial for homeowners and business owners to take proactive steps to safeguard their water supply against freezing temperatures. Missouri American Water is urging its customers to prepare by implementing several useful strategies that can help avoid expensive repairs and the stress of dealing with frozen pipes.
Prepare in Advance
One of the first steps customers should take is to locate their main water shut-off valve. Typically found near the water meter or where the pipe enters the premises, marking this valve with an identification tag will ensure it's easy to find during emergencies. Interested individuals can download a printable tag from Missouri American Water's website. Additionally, it's wise to test the valve to confirm it operates correctly by closing it and checking if other water fixtures stop running.
- Gate Valves: Require a clockwise turn to close.
If you find that your valve doesn't close easily, consider having it serviced. Bonus Tip: While checking the main valve, inspect your water service line's material; if it's made from lead or galvanized steel, customers can arrange for a replacement for safety.
Next on the list is ensuring that sprinkler and irrigation systems are turned off and completely drained. Homeowners should also eliminate sources of cold air around water lines, particularly in areas extensively prone to freezing, such as crawl spaces and unheated rooms. Insulating pipes and fixing drafty windows can greatly mitigate the risks.
Protecting Your Pipes
For exposed pipes at risk of freezing, wrapping them in insulation or heat tape is recommended—using fabric or even newspaper can provide additional warmth.
When Temperatures Plummet
When the temperature stays consistently below freezing, take extra precautions:
Heading Out? Don’t Forget
Traveling this winter? Lower your thermostat to a minimum of 55 degrees Fahrenheit to help prevent pipes from freezing. Arrange for a friend or neighbor to check on your property regularly, ensuring that the heating system is functioning and that nothing freezes up. For additional peace of mind, consider investing in a freeze alarm that alerts you via phone if the indoor temperature dips below 45 degrees.
If Freezing Occurs
Should your pipes freeze, you must shut off the water supply right away. Never attempt to thaw frozen pipes without first turning off the main shut-off valve. To thaw the pipes, gradually warm the area around them, but never use open flames or unattended space heaters, as these can create fire hazards. Once thawed, turn the water back on slowly and monitor for cracks or leaks.
For more tips about protecting your plumbing during the cold season, visit Missouri American Water's dedicated web page. By taking these precautionary measures, you can enjoy a worry-free winter with reliable water service, while also safeguarding your property from potential damage. About Missouri American Water: This company, part of American Water Services, is Missouri's largest regulated water utility, committed to providing reliable water services to approximately 1.6 million people. Additional details can be found on their website.
With winter right around the corner, it's crucial for homeowners and business owners to take proactive steps to safeguard their water supply against freezing temperatures. Missouri American Water is urging its customers to prepare by implementing several useful strategies that can help avoid expensive repairs and the stress of dealing with frozen pipes.
Prepare in Advance
One of the first steps customers should take is to locate their main water shut-off valve. Typically found near the water meter or where the pipe enters the premises, marking this valve with an identification tag will ensure it's easy to find during emergencies. Interested individuals can download a printable tag from Missouri American Water's website. Additionally, it's wise to test the valve to confirm it operates correctly by closing it and checking if other water fixtures stop running.
- - Types of Valves:
- Gate Valves: Require a clockwise turn to close.
If you find that your valve doesn't close easily, consider having it serviced. Bonus Tip: While checking the main valve, inspect your water service line's material; if it's made from lead or galvanized steel, customers can arrange for a replacement for safety.
Next on the list is ensuring that sprinkler and irrigation systems are turned off and completely drained. Homeowners should also eliminate sources of cold air around water lines, particularly in areas extensively prone to freezing, such as crawl spaces and unheated rooms. Insulating pipes and fixing drafty windows can greatly mitigate the risks.
Protecting Your Pipes
For exposed pipes at risk of freezing, wrapping them in insulation or heat tape is recommended—using fabric or even newspaper can provide additional warmth.
When Temperatures Plummet
When the temperature stays consistently below freezing, take extra precautions:
- - Let the Warmth In: Open cabinet doors where pipes are located to allow warm air to circulate.
- - Keep Water Flowing: Allow a small trickle of water to run through the pipes. The minor cost of extra water usually pales compared to the repair costs incurred from a burst pipe.
Heading Out? Don’t Forget
Traveling this winter? Lower your thermostat to a minimum of 55 degrees Fahrenheit to help prevent pipes from freezing. Arrange for a friend or neighbor to check on your property regularly, ensuring that the heating system is functioning and that nothing freezes up. For additional peace of mind, consider investing in a freeze alarm that alerts you via phone if the indoor temperature dips below 45 degrees.
If Freezing Occurs
Should your pipes freeze, you must shut off the water supply right away. Never attempt to thaw frozen pipes without first turning off the main shut-off valve. To thaw the pipes, gradually warm the area around them, but never use open flames or unattended space heaters, as these can create fire hazards. Once thawed, turn the water back on slowly and monitor for cracks or leaks.
For more tips about protecting your plumbing during the cold season, visit Missouri American Water's dedicated web page. By taking these precautionary measures, you can enjoy a worry-free winter with reliable water service, while also safeguarding your property from potential damage. About Missouri American Water: This company, part of American Water Services, is Missouri's largest regulated water utility, committed to providing reliable water services to approximately 1.6 million people. Additional details can be found on their website.
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