As metro Atlanta braces for extreme cold temperatures this weekend, the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District (District) is sharing tips to help residents and businesses prevent frozen pipes, costly damage, and water loss.
- Drip faucets (if exterior wall plumbing is prone to freezing): Turn on a slow, consistent drip, NOT a steady stream – especially for pipes in exterior walls.
- Open cabinets: Allow warm air to flow around plumbing under kitchen and bathroom sinks, ensuring any cleaning or first aid supplies are moved out of reach of children and pets. Identify plumbing fixtures located on exterior walls and prioritize their protection.
- Fix drafts: Eliminate cold air sources around doors, windows and vents. Keep garage doors closed.
- Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses. Consider covering outdoor spigots with outdoor faucet covers, available at most hardware stores. Or, fashion a waterproof DIY version with items around your home like old rags and plastic grocery bags.
- Check sprinklers: Make sure irrigation systems are turned off and lines are drained. Freezing water can expand and break irrigation lines. Leaks can freeze and create slick conditions on sidewalks and streets.
- Insulate exposed pipes: Wrap exposed pipes and faucets in crawl spaces or outdoors with insulation.
- Know where and how to shut off water (if needed): Locate whole-house water shut off valve and know how to turn off water at the meter box if you have a major leak or pipe break.
- Contact your local water utility for assistance. Follow your utility on social media, bookmark their website, or save the phone number to keep up-to-date on any issues or outages.
Taking these precautions can help prevent frozen water pipes and avoid significant costs of pipe repairs and water loss.