Winter Water Line Prep

Before cold weather hits ...

Drain water from your swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines following manufacturer's or installer's directions. Do not put antifreeze in these lines unless directed. Antifreeze is environmentally harmful and is dangerous to humans, pets, wildlife, and landscaping.

Remove, drain and store outdoor hoses. Close inside valves supplying outdoor hose bibs. Open the outside hose bibs to allow water to drain. Keep the outside valve open so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing the pipe to break.

Check around the home for other areas where water supply lines are located and are in unheated areas. Look in the basement, crawl space, attic, garage, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Both hot and cold water pipes in these areas should be insulated. A hot water supply line can freeze just as a cold water supply line can freeze if the water is not running through the pipe and the water temperature in the pipe is cold.

After cold weather hits ...

Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.

Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals away from the reach of children.

When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes.

If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home and set to a temperature no lower than 55°F.

The City of Fort Morgan will inspect your water meter free of charge to see if the water meter is frozen; however, the resident/business owner is responsible for the line from the water meter pit to the building. The City will thaw out a frozen water line once, but repeat service calls to the same address to unthaw frozen lines will be subject to service fees. To contact the City of Fort Morgan's Water Distribution Department, call (970) 542-4350.