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A brutally cold stretch is just around the corner, so it's important for home and business owners to act now to protect their water pipes from freezing or bursting.

Water meters and pipes:

  • Make sure your basement is properly insulated, and check for areas where cold air may be rushing in
  • Insulate pipes in unheated areas like crawl spaces, unheated garages, and attics.
  • Leave some heat on in unused areas of your home.
  • If you leave home for a few days, keep your thermostat on at least 55 degrees and open any cabinets where sink plumbing is against an outside wall.
  • Find the master shut off valve that turns the off water to your entire home – it’s usually in the basement – and make sure everyone in the family knows where it is in case a pipe does freeze and burst.
  • Never try to thaw a frozen pipe with an open flame.
  • Make sure to change the batteries in your thermostat once a year.
  • Clearing Snow from Fire Hydrants

    Madison Water Utility cares for the city’s 9,009 fire hydrants. Do your part to keep this critical part of our water system ready in case of a fire by clearing snow from the hydrants near your home.

Contacts


Agency: 
Water Utility
Seasonal: 
Winter