Cold Weather Preparation

Now is your last opportunity to get outside prepare for the freezing weather. The temperature will drop quickly this evening and wind chills may dip into the single digits.

Steps for Winterizing your Pipes:

Insulate pipes with insulation sleeves, wrapping or using slip-on foam pipe insulation. Do not leave any gaps without insulation as cold air can affect the pipe in these spaces. Plastic piping is more tolerant of freezing than old copper or steel water pipes.

Winterize your sprinkler system. Click here for video instructions.

Inspect the exterior of the property, making sure that all visible cracks are sealed. Cold air can enter through the cracks and, once inside, it will cause your pipe to freeze. If visible cracks are noticed, seal them using caulking or spray foam to fill the voids.

Maintain a heating source inside the building to protect pipes against cold.

Drip your faucets to allow water to move freely and continuously, preventing it from freezing.

Open cabinets underneath faucets.

Make sure your attic crawl space is properly insulated. Block all vents that lead to the outside using cardboard or wood.

Don't forget the hose bibs. Hose bibs are normally left unattended, causing them to burst in the middle of the night. Drain hose bibs and insulate with covers. Once this has been completed, deactivate bibs at the shutoff valve.

Use heat tape to protect pipes from freezing. Heat tape is one of the preferred methods for winterizing plumbing, but be aware that these might bring additional hazards. The U.S. CPSC has provided safety recommendations for homeowners using heat tapes to help prevent fires.

As the temperature begins to rise on Friday and Saturday, frozen pipes may thaw and burst. Please watch for leaks and report them to TNG's 24-hour customer service line at 281-350-0895.