Are You Winter Ready? |
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There are steps you can take to protect your home and your pipes from the cold and may reduce your energy cost for heating your residence. It's important to protect your household plumbing pipes and inside water meter from freezing or bursting.
It is a good idea to have your utilities’ telephone numbers in an easy-to-find location.
WSSC Water Emergency Call Center | WSSC Water Customer Contact Center |
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301-206-4002 | 301-206-4001 |
NOTE: Pipe Insulation only works if you have a heat source (see above - air leaks are generally the cause of frozen pipes). When you are ready to insulate your pipes, inquire at your local plumbing or hardware store about materials to use.
Check to be certain that any water lines or fire sprinkler piping installed in the attic are properly insulated above the piping with a continuous R30 rating.
A water main break can occur at any time, but especially during winter months. Additionally, meters can sometimes freeze, leading to an emergency water outage. Be prepared; store water for your household ahead of time. The rule of thumb is 1 – 2 gallons per person, per day to last at least three days. Remember to include pets!
You may prefer contacting a registered Master Plumber to do the work. If you do, be sure to obtain the plumber’s WSSC Water license number and verify that it is current.
These tips are provided to assist in winterizing your home if you will be away for an extended period. The purpose of winterizing your home is to remove water which can freeze within the pipelines and other areas. While nobody can guarantee against frozen or broken pipes, it is important that you take preventive winterizing steps.
If you chose to winterize your home before an extended absence, be aware that it is your responsibility if the water meter freezes.
(From the WSSC Water Plumbing and Fuel Gas Code -111.5.4 Protection: Commission water meters shall be protected from damage by freezing or physical abuse. The property owner shall be responsible for expenses related to meter repair, replacement, or loss due to neglect or damage).
NOTE: If you own an electric hot water heater special precautions must be used in draining and filling an electric hot water heater. Electricity must be turned off before draining or refilling the water tank.
For Homes with fire sprinkler systems:
If you will be gone a short period of time, find a reliable neighbor to check the property daily.
***DO NOT FORGET TO TURN ON VALVE TO THE FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM TO BE BACK IN SERVICE