What can I do to prepare for cold weather?

When the temperature takes a nosedive, water in your pipes can freeze, causing them to burst. Here’s what you can do to prepare.

• Know your history. Have your pipes frozen in the past? Chances are, your property may be more susceptible to winter weather. Use your prior history to take action early!
• Wrap exposed pipes with insulating material. You can purchase this at any local hardware store. Pipes under kitchen sinks, in crawl spaces, near windows, or in unheated basements are areas susceptible to freezing.
• Tag your main water shutoff valve so that you and other household members can easily locate it to turn off the water in case of an emergency. This can save valuable time and money.
• If your house has a crawl space, cover the outside vents to prevent winter winds from entering the home and freezing pipes. It’s also a good idea to turn off any outdoor faucets.
• Keep the garage door closed if you have a slab foundation as some pipes can be located underneath the concrete.
• Let a small, steady stream of cold water run in extremely cold weather. The cost of the water is minimal compared to dealing with the cost and inconvenience of frozen or burst pipes. 

You can find additional information at LouisvilleWater.com/ColdWeatherTips.