#Middlebury
Clinton, Conn., January 10, 2022 — Connecticut Water has issued a frozen pipe alert for Tuesday, January 11, when near zero temperatures are in the forecast. Homeowners are encouraged to take a few simple steps, listed below, to prevent damage caused by freezing of water pipes inside and outside the home.
Pipes bringing water in from a public water system or a private well, and water meters, are usually located near exterior walls. This can make them more vulnerable to freezing during extreme cold and windy conditions. As water freezes it expands, which can block the flow of water and cause split pipes and cracked water meters. Once the ice thaws, water will leak out of any splits and cracks and may cause flooding conditions.
Property owners are responsible for the maintenance of the water service line from the curb to the house, as well as for any in-home piping, including meter repair costs. Connecticut Water encourages customers and private well owners to take the following precautions to reduce the chances pipes will freeze or burst and water meters will be damaged.
- Locate the shutoff valve and be sure it is working properly in case of an emergency.
- Protect outside pipes and faucets. If there is a separate shutoff valve for the outside faucet, turn it off and drain the lines. If not, wrap and insulate outside faucets or hose bibs.
- Check for broken windows or damaged skirting that might cause freezing to your pipes or meter in your basement or crawl space.
- Caulk around pipes where they enter the house. Seal cracks or holes in windows, walls or doors near the meter or pipes.
- Make sure room heat can circulate freely around the meter and water pipes.
- Leave cabinet doors open where there is plumbing when the temperature is below freezing to allow more heat to the pipes.
- Wrap interior pipes with insulation, particularly in unheated areas like the garage, basement or crawl space.
- Homeowners that have had problems in the past with pipes freezing may want to let the water run at a slow rate in extreme cold. The extra cost in your water bill will be minimal compared to the cost of repairing a broken pipe. Homeowners can use a bucket or container to catch the dripping water and use it for another purpose.
For more info visit www.ctwater.com. Customers also can request a frozen pipes fact sheet or report emergencies 24/7 by phone at 800-286-5700.
