Aqua Offers Tips to Keep Pipes From Freezing This Winter

Rhea-AI Summary

Aqua reminds homeowners to prevent water pipes from freezing as colder weather approaches. Key recommendations include:

• Having heat tape, pipe insulation, a space heater, and a hair dryer available.
• Locating and marking the master water valve.
• Ensuring outdoor meter pit lids are intact.
• Shutting off and draining outdoor faucets.
• Preventing drafts in unheated areas.

These steps are crucial for avoiding costly repairs from frozen pipes, which can occur when temperatures drop below freezing.

Positive

• Proactive advice from Aqua may help customers avoid costly repairs due to frozen pipes.
• Enhanced customer engagement through actionable steps for winter preparedness.

Negative

• None.

As colder weather approaches, Aqua is reminding homeowners that they should take steps now to prevent their household water pipes from freezing this winter. Frozen pipes become a concern when the air temperature drops below freezing for a sustained period.

Aqua recommends that customers take the following steps ahead of severe winter weather:

• Make sure to have a supply of heat tape and pipe insulation, as well as a portable space heater and a hair dryer on hand.
• Locate and visibly mark the home’s master water valve. If a pipe does break, use this valve to turn off water to the home.
• Make sure the lids on outdoor meter pits are not broken or missing.
• Shut off and drain any outside faucets including those for lawn sprinkling systems.
• Prevent drafts in unheated areas, such as crawl spaces or basements, by replacing broken glass or making other repairs.

Aqua also advises customers to take the following precautions in any unheated areas of their homes when temperatures drop below freezing:

• Wrap pipes with insulation material or heat tape. Wrap indoor water meters with a blanket. Proper and safe use of portable space heaters can also keep exposed pipes in drafty areas from freezing.
• For interior plumbing located on an outside wall such as a kitchen sink, install heat tape to the pipes beneath the sink. If no small children are in the house, open cabinet doors beneath the sink to allow the warm air in the home to reach the pipes.
• When temperatures remain near 10°F, customers may want to leave a very thin stream of water running continuously from at least one tap in their home—preferably the one farthest from the meter. The additional cost of the water is cheaper than the cost of repairing ruptured pipes.
• If a customer can locate the frozen area of a pipe, open a spigot and use a hand-held hair dryer (blow dryer) or heat tape to thaw the area. If this does not resolve the issue, contact a licensed plumber.

About Aqua

Aqua’s water and wastewater utilities serve more than 3 million people in Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina, Illinois, Texas, New Jersey, Indiana and Virginia. Visit Aqua online at AquaAmerica.com, facebook.com/MyAquaAmerica, and twitter.com/MyAquaAmerica.

Aqua is part of Essential Utilities, one of the largest publicly traded water, wastewater and natural gas providers in the U.S., serving approximately 5 million people across 10 states under the Aqua and Peoples brands. Essential is committed to excellence in proactive infrastructure investment, regulatory expertise, operational efficiency and environmental stewardship. The company recognizes the importance water and natural gas play in everyday life and is proud to deliver safe, reliable services that contribute to the quality of life in the communities it serves. For more information, visit http://www.essential.co.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201215005891/en/

FAQ

What should Aqua customers do to prevent frozen pipes this winter?

Aqua advises customers to use heat tape, pipe insulation, and portable heaters, locate their water valve, and drain outdoor faucets.

When do water pipes typically freeze according to Aqua?

Water pipes usually freeze when temperatures drop below freezing for a sustained period.

What steps does Aqua recommend for unheated areas of homes?

Aqua recommends wrapping pipes with insulation, using heat tape, and keeping cabinet doors open to allow warm air to reach pipes.

What is Aqua's service area?

Aqua's utilities serve over 3 million customers across several states including Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas.

How can Aqua customers thaw frozen pipes?

If customers locate a frozen area, they can open a spigot and use a hair dryer or heat tape to thaw the pipe.