It’s Getting Cold: Know Where Your Shut-off Valve Is

MERRICK, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Winter’s falling temperatures can wreak havoc on water pipes in one’s home, but there are simple ways to protect your pipes from freezing.

“New York American Water encourages our customers to prevent costly repairs and potential damage by winterizing their homes as the colder weather moves in,” said Brian Bruce, vice president of operations for New York American Water. “By weatherproofing their homes, residents will save money on their winter energy bills and guard against potential breaks and leaks in indoor plumbing. Just a few precautionary steps can save you major headaches in the long run.”

New York American Water encourages its customers to take the following precautions to reduce the risk of freezing pipes that can burst.

Preparing for Cold Weather

• Make sure everyone in your home knows where the main water shut-off valve is located so you can turn off the water in an emergency. When you locate the valve, mark it with an identification tag. The valve is typically located where the water line enters the home. This could be in the basement, crawlspace, or utility closet.
• Check for pipes that pass through unheated spaces or rooms, such as crawlspaces, basements, garages, or uninsulated exterior walls. Protect exposed pipes by wrapping them with heat tape, pre-molded foam rubber sleeves or fiberglass insulation, available at hardware stores. If you have installed heat tape on exposed pipes, inspect the tape for cracks or fraying and make any needed repairs.
• If your meter is outside, make sure your meter lid is closed tightly.
• Eliminate sources of cold air near pipes by sealing openings or cracks that could cause drafts. Close air vents in crawlspaces.
• Drain all outdoor garden hoses, roll them up and store them inside to prevent cracking. If you have an indoor valve for the outside faucet(s), shut it off and drain water from pipes leading to the faucet(s).
• Turn off and drain your irrigation system.
• If you are going to be away, leave your thermostat at 55 degrees to prevent freezing
• If no one will be home for an extended period of time during extreme winter weather: consider contacting New York American Water at 877-426-6999 to turn your water off altogether and hiring a plumber to drain your system. That way, if your furnace stops working, there will be no water in your pipes to freeze.

When temperatures consistently fall below freezing

• For kitchen or other sinks up against cold, exterior walls, open cabinets to let warm air in your home reach the pipes.
• Allow a small trickle of water to run overnight to keep pipes from freezing. The cost of the extra water is typically lower than the cost of repairing a broken pipe.

If your pipes do freeze

• Shut off the water immediately. Don’t attempt to thaw frozen pipes unless the water is shut off.
• Freezing can often cause unseen cracks in pipes or joints that will leak when thawed.
• Apply heat to a frozen pipe by warming the air around it. Avoid the use of kerosene heaters or open flames.
• Once the pipes have thawed, slowly turn the water back on and check for cracks and leaks.

Avoid Costly Repairs

• If your water meter is located in your home and freezes, the homeowner/business is responsible for the cost to replace or repair the meter. With a little attention and basic maintenance, you can help prevent pipes and meters from freezing in your home.

More cold weather tips can be found at http://www.amwater.com/nyaw/

New York American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water company in New York, providing high-quality and reliable water services to more than 360,000 people.

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs approximately 6,600 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 14 million people in more than 40 states and parts of Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.