Protect water pipes during the cold snap

A reminder from Fort Wayne City Utilities to take precautions to protect water pipes and water meters from freezing during this cold snap.

News release from Fort Wayne Utilities:

Keep Water Flowing During Colder Temps
Protect Your Water Pipes and Meter

Fort Wayne, Indiana (February 4, 2022) – With temperatures dropping into the single digits later today, residents should take precautions to protect their pipes and water meters from freezing. With many meters in the garage, residents should keep the garage door closed while shoveling driveways and sidewalks.

If customers find they do not have water and suspect a frozen meter or pipe, they call City Utilities’ Customer Support at 427-1234 during business hours. On weekends or after business hours, call 3-1-1 and use the prompt for Water Maintenance.

Here are suggestions to help customers protect their homes and meter.

• Run a small trickle of lukewarm water about the diameter of a pencil lead to keep water flowing through your meter and pipes.
• If the meter is in an unheated garage, it should be protected with an insulated box, and the garage door should be closed to hold in as much warmth as possible. For residents with an outdoor meter located in a pit, be sure the lid is not broken or missing. The meter is the customer’s responsibility, and replacements start at $134.
• Wrap pipes that run through unheated garages or crawl spaces with flexible pipe sleeves or insulation tape to provide additional warmth.
• Know the location of your master valve or a main water shut-off control. That will allow you to turn off all the water coming into the house if you have a broken pipe. The valve is usually near where the main water line enters the house. If a pipe breaks somewhere in the house, you can turn off the water at this main valve.
• Open doors below sinks to allow warm air to reach the pipes.
• Consider using a space heater to keep warm air circulating near drains and water pipes.

View more AroundFortWayne posts on the City of Fort Wayne government.

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