Lincoln Water System is reminding residents to winterize their plumbing as cold weather sets in.
Officials say frozen or burst pipes can lead to costly repairs, most often when lawn irrigation systems aren’t properly drained. Pipes along exterior walls, in garages, crawl spaces, or poorly insulated basements are also at risk.
To prevent freezing, residents should:
- Drain and shut off irrigation systems
- Disconnect outdoor hoses
- Keep indoor areas with plumbing heated and open cabinet doors where pipes run along outside walls
- Let faucets run a small stream—about one cup per minute—to keep water moving
- Know the location of your main shut-off valve
If pipes freeze, contact a licensed plumber rather than trying to thaw them with an open flame or high heat source. More information is available at lincoln.ne.gov/FrozenPipes.