Summary

Tips for the Prevention of Frozen Pipes

With freezing temperatures forecasted for Central New York over the next few days, the OCWA team would like to share with you some helpful tips to prevent your pipes from freezing. You can reduce the likelihood that your outside water services and home plumbing fixtures will freeze by following these simple but effective steps:

• Keep garage doors closed if water supply lines are in the garage.
• Check your basement to ensure that outside air is not blowing in on pipes via open or broken windows or other openings.
• Let cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe – even at a trickle – helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• If you will be going away, try to leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F, to prevent pipes from freezing or bursting.
• Consider opening cabinets near fixtures running along the outside wall in kitchens and/or bathrooms to allow warm air from the rest of the house to circulate, but be mindful to move any harmful cleaners or chemicals up out of the reach of children.

It’s the bitter truth. Water lines could freeze or even break during extended periods of subfreezing temperatures, resulting in water damage and flooding. But you can help protect your home!

Property owners are reminded that frozen pipes within the home or business are the responsibility of the property owner. If you are an OCWA customer and have a question, please call us at 315-455-7061.