LOUISVILLE, Ky. — We are certainly starting the new year off with bitter cold weather after a milder December. With this, comes protecting your pipes from the chilly conditions.
Louisville Water suggests taking these precautions when temperatures fall below freezing (32 degrees):
- Wrap exposed pipes with insulating material. You can purchase these materials from a hardware store.
- If your home has a crawl space, cover the outside vents to prevent winter winds from freezing the pipes.
- If your house has a slab foundation, close the garage door. Some pipes are located under concrete floors in the garage.
According to a news release, Louisville Water recommends allowing cold water to drip (about the size of a pencil point) from faucets near exterior facing walls or from faucets close to pipes that are prone to freezing. Officials said the small trickle keeps water flowing through the pipes, which helps prevents them from freezing.
"It’s important to keep the amount of running water limited to a small drip. Too much water can add up over time," a spokesperson for Louisville Water said. "With that said, paying a few extra dollars a month is nothing compared to the cost and headache of a busted pipe!"
Louisville Water urges you to know how to turn off your water in case of an emergency. They said in most homes the main shutoff valve is near the hot water heater or in the basement, a crawl space, utility closet, or garage.
They advise you to tag the valve with a waterproof hanger or ribbon, with Louisville Water providing free tags if need be. You can pick yours up at their office located on Third Street in downtown.
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