HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL PR 2010-12-13 water line precautions
Town of Leesburg
News Release
For Immediate Release
Tips for Preventing Water Lines from Freezing
Leesburg, VA (December 13, 2010) – With the onset of below-freezing temperatures, the
Leesburg Utilities Department offers the following precautions to residents to protect water
lines from freezing:
• Turn off the water to outside hose bibs. Disconnect and drain outside hoses.
• Close crawl space vents and access doors.
• Consider installing water pipe insulation. Local building supply stores carry a number of
products designed specifically for this purpose.
• Check pipe insulation periodically to make sure that it is dry. Wet insulation can be
worse than no insulation.
• Check the water meter lid. If it is loose, call the Town at 703-771-2750 to request that a
technician tighten or replace the lid to prevent the meter from freezing.
• If leaving home for the holidays or a vacation during the winter, shut the main water
valve off.
During extreme cold weather events, additional precautionary measures include:
• Open cabinets and closets that contain water lines to allow warm air to circulate around
the pipes.
• Leave faucets on a slight trickle. Running or dripping water can help prevent water lines
from freezing; however, even running water can freeze in sub-zero temperatures.
If a water line does burst due to freezing, customers should immediately turn off the main
water valve and call the Town. For water line emergencies between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, please call 703-771-2750. For emergencies after 5:00 p.m. on weekday
and on holidays or weekends, please call the Leesburg Police Department’s Communications
Center at 703-771-4500.
Contact:
Aref Etemadi
Utilities Department Deputy Director
aetemadi@leesburgva.gov
703-771-2754
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