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Unprotected pipes and water meters can freeze and expand within hours of the onset of frigid weather. Pipes running through uninsulated exterior walls or other unheated spaces usually are at the highest risk, although pipes in heated rooms can freeze if exposed to cold drafts.
Frozen pipes can burst, resulting in thousands of dollars in damage for remodeling, mold remediation and emergency substitute housing costs, as well as the loss of irreplaceable belongings. To help customers avoid these problems, Aquarion’s website – www.aquarionwater.com – offers tips on preventing frozen pipes and meters.
“It doesn’t take much. Even a tiny split in a pipe can spew hundreds of gallons of water into your home or business in one day,” said Donna Parlatore, director of utility operations for Aquarion Water Co. “We strongly encourage property owners to review and utilize the frozen pipe and meter prevention tips on our website to prevent this from happening to them.”
Some actions customers can take to prevent frozen pipes include:
- Letting a faucet fed by pipes exposed to the cold drip to prevent the water inside from freezing.
- Never completely shutting off the heat in a building unless all the pipes and toilets are drained first.
- Keeping the doors to rooms where the pipes and water meter are located, including sink cabinets, open so warm air can keep temperatures above freezing.
- Eliminating cold drafts near water pipes (and, if indoors, the water meter) by filling cracks in walls and around windows, replacing broken glass, and installing storm windows on basement windows.
It is the responsibility of property owners to keep pipes and water meters from freezing and making appropriate service calls. If a meter freezes, Aquarion will send a service technician to replace it, but the company will not thaw frozen pipes or repair burst ones.
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