Seasonal Maintenance

GET READY FOR WINTER
 
Winter’s freezing temperatures can be harsh on your home’s plumbing.  If your water service stops working, the first thing you should do is call Veolia at 208-362-7304.
 
Homeowners are responsible for service lines from the meter box to their home and all pipes inside their property line.  If any of these pipes freeze, the homeowner is responsible for thawing or repairing them or calling a licensed plumber to do the work.
 
If the meter is frozen, Veolia will repair or replace it for free.  Do not attempt to repair a frozen meter.  Only Veolia employees are authorized to open, work on, or thaw Veolia Water meters.  As a reminder, please keep your meter box clear of snow and other obstacles.  This ensures our crews can access and read your meter accurately.
 
Before the cold weather hits:
  • Winterize (blow out) your sprinkler system.
    This reduces the chance of water freezing and breaking the pipes.  Many sprinkler installers, landscapers and private contractors offer this service, or you can do it yourself.
  • Disconnect and drain garden hoses and connections, close any hose bib shutoff valves and consider covering hose bibs.
  • Prevent cold air from seeping inside. Close outside vents, crawl spaces and doors.  Fix broken windows, seal cracks in the walls and foundations.  Also, keep your garage door closed to prevent cold air from reaching pipes and water heaters.
  • To help protect pipes along outside walls, open the cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate.
  • Insulate pipes by wrapping them in commercial insulation.  For extra protection, wrap pipes subject to cold or freezing in heat tape before insulating.
  • If you’re going away, keep a minimum amount of heat on in the house. You may also want to keep a thin stream of water running from a faucet.
  • If you plan to turn the heat off, drain all the water from the pipes, toilets and water heater, and turn off the power source to the water heater.
  • Place a tag on the main water shutoff valve to your home and make sure everyone in the house knows its location and how to operate it in an emergency.
 
THAWING FROZEN PIPES
 
Act Quickly
If your pipes freeze, it’s important to clear blockages as soon as possible to minimize damage.  In some instances, it may be best to call a licensed plumber.
 
Turn Off the Water
If a water pipe freezes, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve for your home. Open a nearby faucet so the pipe can drain as it thaws.
 
Be Careful
Do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water.  Never use hot water or a blowtorch on a frozen pipe.  Thaw pipes by applying hot air from a hair dryer or electric heater, or by using a heating pad.  Do not turn the water back on until you are sure there are no leaks.