Preparing for Freezing Temperatures

As water turns to ice, it expands.  Inside closed pipes it can build up hundreds of pounds per square inch of pressure easily able to burst hoses and split pipes. Here are some tips to prevent damaged plumbing, leaks, and high water bills when the temperature drops.

1. If possible, drain any above-ground piping and hoses for the winter. 

2. Wrap undrained faucets and pipes that will be exposed to freezing temperatures with fiberglass or foam insulation. Use of plug-in electric heating wraps are also an option. This includes pipes in unheated attics and crawl spaces, as well as those outdoors.

3. Crack open the faucets on pipes exposed to freezing temperatures so that they drip. This keeps pressure from building up if some ice does form inside in the pipe.

4. Pipes underground are less likely to freeze, but can still burst if the temperature stays below freezing for several days. Consider draining or protecting them as appropriate.

5. Replace missing trailer skirting and seal any openings where wind can blow into crawlspaces under homes.

6. If a property is going to be unoccupied for a week or more during the winter, and especially if the heat is to be cut off, it is a good idea to have the water shut off at the meter so that any leak will not run for days undetected.

7. Please call the NLWA office if you need the water shut off or if you see a suspected leak on our system. There is no charge to turn the water off in an emergency.

Members are responsible for the lines from the water meter to their homes and any damage or repairs of these lines. 

If NLWA personnel happen to see signs of a leak at a served property such as a spinning water meter or evidence of flooding, and they cannot find anyone home to alert, our policy is to shut off the water at the meter and leave a note on the door. The intent of this policy is to prevent damage and high water bills for homes that are unoccupied. Each year we have several customers with very high water bills due to leaks that run for days or weeks.

If you come home to find your water has been shut off, please check for signs of a leak. If it happens to be nothing more than a running toilet, we hope you will be tolerant of the inconvenience and realize the intent was to be helpful. Call us and we will turn the water back on without a service call charge.

May you stay warm and healthy this winter.

-Your NLWA Board and Staff