To help prevent water pipes from cracking or bursting during freezing temperatures, customers can take the following actions:
Inside
- Allow a slow drip from a faucet to reduce pipes from freezing.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow the homes heat in.
- If your pipes have burst inside your home, turn your water valve off to prevent further damage. The shut-off valve is usually located in the box adjacent to the meter box. The valve turns clockwise to close.
Outside
- Insulate pipes exposed to the elements or cold drafts with foam insulation. Newspapers, towels or blankets can also provide insulation, but these items can cause the insulation to freeze if they become wet. Cover them with a plastic bag or tape to keep them as dry as possible.
- Place an insulating dome or foam cover on outdoor faucets, spigots and backflow preventers to reduce the likelihood of water pipes freezing and expanding.
- You can also purchase insulated bags and/or insulated/decorative rocks to protect and conceal above-ground backflow preventers.
- We do not recommend using blowtorches, kerosene, propane heaters, charcoal stove or other open flame devices to thaw frozen pipes. We recommend insulating your pipes to prevent this from happening.
- SJWTX can shut your water off in the event of an emergency. However, we do not make repairs beyond the meter connection on the customer's side of the water meter.