New Jersey American Water Offers Cold Weather Water Tips

For Inside and Outside Your Home

VOORHEES, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#InfrastructureMatters–Temperatures have dropped and winter weather is here so New Jersey
American Water wants to remind homeowners to protect their pipes to
prevent costly plumbing repairs.

New Jersey American Water encourages its customers to take the following
precautions to reduce the risk of freezing pipes that can burst.

Preparing for cold weather

• Make sure everyone in your home knows where the main water shut-off
  valve is located so you can turn off the water in an emergency. When
  you locate the valve, mark it with an identification tag. The valve is
  typically located where the water line enters the home. This could be
  in the basement, crawlspace, or utility closet.
• Check for pipes that pass through unheated spaces or rooms, such as
  crawlspaces, basements, garages, or uninsulated exterior walls.
  Protect exposed pipes by wrapping them with heat tape, pre-molded foam
  rubber sleeves or fiberglass insulation, available at hardware stores.
  If you have installed heat tape on exposed pipes, inspect the tape for
  cracks or fraying and make any needed repairs.
• If your water meter is outside, make sure your meter lid is closed
  tightly.
• Eliminate sources of cold air near pipes by sealing openings or cracks
  that could cause drafts. Close air vents in crawlspaces.
• Drain all outdoor garden hoses, roll them up and store them inside to
  prevent cracking. If you have an indoor valve for the outside
  faucet(s), shut it off and drain water from pipes leading to the
  faucet(s).
• Turn off and drain your irrigation system.
• If you are going to be away for a few days or more, leave your
  thermostat at 55 degrees to prevent freezing.
• If no one will be home for an extended period of time during the
  winter months, consider contacting New Jersey American Water at
  800-272-1325 to turn your water off and hire a plumber to drain your
  system. By doing this, there will be no water in your pipes to freeze
  if your furnace stops working.

When temperatures consistently fall below freezing

• For kitchen or other sinks up against cold, exterior walls, open
  cabinets to let warm air in your home reach the pipes.
• Allow a small trickle of water to run overnight to keep pipes from
  freezing. The cost of the extra water is typically lower than the cost
  of repairing a broken pipe.
• If your pipes do freeze, shut off the water immediately. Don’t attempt
  to thaw frozen pipes unless the water is shut off.
• Freezing can often cause unseen cracks in pipes or joints that will
  leak when thawed.
• Apply heat to a frozen pipe by warming the air around it. Avoid the
  use of kerosene heaters or open flames.
• Once the pipes have thawed, slowly turn the water back on and check
  for cracks and leaks.

Avoid Costly Repairs

• If your water meter is located in your home and freezes, the
  homeowner/business is responsible for the cost to replace or repair
  the meter. With a little attention and basic maintenance, you can help
  prevent pipes and meters from freezing in your home.

For more information and to view New Jersey American Water cold weather
infographic, visit the Wise
Water Use page, on the company’s website at www.newjerseyamwater.com.

New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the
largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing
high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to
approximately 2.7 million people. More information can be found at www.newjerseyamwater.com.
With a history dating back to 1886, American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the
largest and most geographically diverse publicly traded U.S. water and
wastewater utility company. The company employs 6,800 dedicated
professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water,
wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people
in 47 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found by
visiting www.amwater.com.

Contacts

New Jersey American Water
Denise Venuti Free
Director of
Communications and External Affairs
856-782-2316
[email protected]