This page provides tips to prevent damage to customers' water supplies during freezing temperatures.
Inside
- Allow a slow drip from a faucet to reduce pipes from freezing.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow the homes to heat in.
- If your pipes have burst inside your home, turn your water valve off to prevent further damage.
- Click here to learn how to find your water meter or valve.
- The shut-off valve is usually located in the box adjacent to the meter box.
- The valve turns clockwise to close.
Outside
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Sprinkler systems and their pipes can be prone to freezing during winter months. Here are some tips to prevent that from happening.
- Insulate pipes exposed to the elements or cold drafts with foam insulation. Newspapers, towels, or blankets can also provide insulation, but these items can cause the insulation to freeze if they become wet. Cover them with a plastic bag or tape to keep them as dry as possible.
- Place an insulating dome or foam cover on outdoor faucets, spigots, and backflow preventers to reduce the likelihood of water pipes freezing and expanding.
- You can also purchase insulated bags and/or insulated/decorative rocks to protect and conceal above-ground backflow preventers.
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We do not recommend using blowtorches, kerosene, propane heaters, charcoal stove, or other open-flame devices to thaw frozen pipes. We recommend insulating your pipes to prevent this from happening.
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Shutting off water during winter can be an excellent idea for those who leave town for the holidays or have vacation homes in the service area. If you turn off the water, leave the faucets on when the water is turned off to drain the pipes.
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This will empty the water plumbing, which could freeze and rupture the pipes.
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However, turn the faucets back to the off position before turning the water back on to the home.
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- SJWTX can shut your water off in the event of an emergency. However, we do not make repairs beyond the meter connection on the customer's side of the water meter. Click here to learn more about how to find your meter.
- Preparing irrigation systems for cooler weather in our service area is essential. This short video below provides tips on preparing your irrigation systems.
