Protect Pipes From Freezing Temperatures

Preventing frozen pipes is much easier than replacing pipes that freeze and burst. And that’s not even considering paying for the damage to your home and possessions that can result from burst pipes.

Water pipes and meters can freeze within hours of the onset of sub-freezing weather—if they’re exposed to cold air or drafts. 

Fortunately, preventing this is relatively easy to do. These steps will help you prevent the damage, expense, and inconveniences of having your pipes or water meter freeze.

Before Freezing Weather

• Find the main water shut-off valve to your home, typically you will find one located just before the water meter. Show all household members how to turn it off in case of a burst pipe or similar emergency.

• Disconnect and drain garden hoses from outside faucets and turn off the connection to those faucets at the interior valve. Drain any exposed pipes.
• Winterize irrigation systems.
• The pipes most likely to freeze are those nearest an uninsulated wall, door, window, garage, attic, basement, or along an uninsulated floor.
• Add insulation to exterior walls wherever possible and wrap pipes with insulation.
• Eliminate cold drafts near water pipes and your water meter. Make sure all doors and windows to the outside are tightly closed, including those in basements and crawl spaces. Fill cracks in walls and around windows, replace cracked glass, and install storm windows on basement windows.
• If your kitchen or bathroom sink is located against an outside wall, insulate the wall and exposed pipes. Open cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.
• Keep the doors to rooms where the pipes and water meter are located open so warm air can keep temperatures above freezing.
• When you’re away, never completely shut off the heat unless you drain all the pipes and toilets first. If you do this, be sure to turn off your water heater first, and drain your heating system’s pipes and radiators, too.

If a Water Pipe or Meter Freezes

• If you see or suspect damage to your water pipes:
  • Call a licensed plumber for assistance.
• If you see or suspect a frozen or damaged water meter:
  • Please call Bristol Water Department (603) 744-8411
  • You will need to be home when we attempt to thaw/repair the meter. This is to minimize any damage inside your house if any of your pipes have burst.
  • Because the homeowner is responsible for the water meter and the pipes on either side, you will be charged for any service calls needed to thaw or repair your meter.
  • Never use a torch or any other open flame to thaw a pipe or meter.

Feel free to reach out to us if you have question or concerns regards protecting your water service this winter.

The Bristol Water Department

(603) 744-8411