With forecasted temperatures getting into the single digits over the weekend, Columbus City Utilities wants to recommend that its customers take precautions to prevent their home water lines becoming frozen.
Leaving a small amount of water (no more than a pencil lead thickness) running in the faucet farthest from the water source, or next to an outside wall can prevent pipes from freezing.
Prevent Frozen Pipes
During the winter months customers need to be particularly mindful in preventing their pipes from freezing. There are some things you should not do and other things you should.
If there is snow covering your meter pit, leave it there. Snow cover acts as an insulating barrier and can help prevent the meter inside from freezing.
Don’t open your pit or tamper with the valve inside. It’s against local code for anyone but Utility personnel to work in the meter pits and vaults. Without the proper tools the valves can be fragile and this damage can be charged back to the customer.
When freezing is a possibility, there are some things you can do to help prevent disasters.
- Open vanity and cabinet doors to expose pipes to the inside, warmer temperatures.
- Let a small (pencil-lead thin) stream of water run. Moving water is much less likely to freeze than water standing in a pipe. Make sure all crawl space openings are closed and if possible, insulate the opening.
- Use wrap insulation on pipes in unheated areas.
If your pipes do freeze, FIRST call Columbus Utilities at 812-372-8861. If the problem is in our meter pit, we will thaw it out and get you back in service. If the problem is beyond the meter in your plumbing, we will be able to identify it and you will then need to contact a plumber.