Seattle Public Utilities is encouraging locals to think about maintenance around their homes to prevent burst pipes during this spell of chilly weather. Below-freezing temperatures can burst water pipes around your home, potentially causing serious property damage and wasting large amounts of water.
While burst pipes are usually easy to spot, smaller breaks often go unnoticed, so SPU is encouraging locals to regularly check these areas for leaks:
- Make sure outdoor faucets aren’t dripping and if you can access the pipe that feeds the faucet, inspect it for any leaks.
- Check sprinkler heads for leaks, and look for unusually damp sections in your garden, which may point to an underground leak.
- Pipes in your basement, crawlspace or garage are often subjected to freezing temperatures so look for wet spots or puddles on the ground.
- Inspect the pipes for tankless water heaters that run along the exterior of your house for leaks.
- Check any indoor sink pipes that are against exterior walls.
For more information on preparing water pipes for winter weather, visit www.takewinterbystorm.org.
The main water valve in the basement was frozen. Needed hairdriers blowing on it and a space heater outside to thaw it.
If water is sluggish coming out of the faucets you need to keep the faucets dripping during cold spells. We just avoided major damage.