The cold weather is here; and with the winter weather forecast for the rest of the week, water pipes will see an increased potential for freezing. The City of Bristol, Tennessee is offering the following tips to protect homes and pipes during the cold weather.
- Let cold water drip from a faucet – keep a very thin stream of water running in at least one sink. The flow keeps water moving through the pipes.
- Keep garage doors closed – this keeps out drafts and ultimately keeps the garage warmer.
- Open cabinet doors – especially if there is a sink located on an outside wall. This allows for warm air to reach the pipes.
- Protect outside faucets – all lines that are located outside should be drained. Water hoses should also be disconnected, drained, and stored.
- Protect the home’s meter – make sure the meter box cover isn’t broken, missing, or ajar. The colder temperatures can penetrate the box’s insulation. If there is an issue with your meter box cover, please contact the City of Bristol’s Department of Public Services at 423-989-5677.
- Locate shut-off valve – know where the homes shut-off valve is. It’s better to know the location of the valve before water freezes than after a pipe has burst. This can minimize damage by quickly stopping the flow of water. The shut-off valve is typically located inside, near where the main water line enters the house.
- If pipes do freeze, thaw carefully – pipes can be thawed by using a hair dryer, electric heating pad, or a portable space heater. Do not use an open flame to thaw a frozen pipe.
For more information about water pipe maintenance, and freeze prevention, please contact Mark Quickel, Superintendent of the Water Plant for the City of Bristol, Tennessee Department of Public Services at 423-989-5677.
