Increased awareness and preparation can help prevent burst water pipes
BRIDGEPORT, CONN. – January 20, 2022 – With winter’s severe weather and cold temperatures blanketing the region, Aquarion Water Company is encouraging customers to take steps to avoid the damage, cost, and inconvenience that comes with a burst water pipe or a damaged water meter.
Property owners are responsible for protecting their water pipes and water meter, whether interior or exterior, from cold temperatures. Aquarion suggests customers follow a few simple tips to keep the water safely flowing all winter long:
- Check water pipes near uninsulated or drafty walls, doors, floors and windows, including in your basement, garage or attic. Add insulation wherever you can.
- Keep all doors and windows tightly closed.
- Fill cracks in walls and openings around doors and windows. Insulating or wrapping pipes can also help.
- Locate the main water shut-off valve to your home and show all household members how to turn it off in the event of a burst pipe.
- Open cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate around pipes along outside walls.
- In extreme cold, let faucets drip.
- If your water meter is in an outdoor pit, check to see that the pit cover fits properly and has no cracks through which cold air can flow.
- Never use a torch or open flame to thaw a pipe.
Customers who see or suspect damage to water pipes should call a licensed plumber for assistance. In the event of a frozen or damaged water meter customers should call Aquarion’s Customer Care Center at (800) 732-9678. For additional information, customers can visit
www.aquarionwater.com/frozenpipes.
“A burst pipe or damaged water meter can be a costly inconvenience,” said John Walsh, Aquarion's Vice President of Operations & Utility Innovation. “We encourage customers to avoid the clean-up and repairs that come with a burst water pipe by taking steps before the problem occurs.”