Placing insulating materials over water meter lids may help to prevent frozen pipes and meters within the meter can. Photo Courtesy DPU

DPU NEWS RELEASE

The Los Alamos Customer Care Center received many calls about frozen pipes this morning. Cold weather coupled with little-to-no snow on the ground is causing more frozen pipes than usual in meter cans and in homes.

Here are some tips from the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to help you avoid frozen pipes during frigid weather.

• Set faucets to drip in the kitchen and in other sinks that are on the inside of exterior walls. This will keep water flowing to prevent ice from forming inside pipes.
• Leave cabinet doors under sinks open to allow some of your home’s heat to reach the pipes.
• If your water pipes run through your garage, keep the garage door closed.
• Keep all interior doors open to keep an even temperature throughout the home.

• Keep the setting on your thermostat consistent throughout the day and night. If you’ll be leaving for long periods, don’t let the indoor temperature drop below 55 degrees.
• Disconnect all hoses from outdoor faucets.
• Cold air can settle into your water meter can and freeze the pipes and meter inside. If you know where your meter can is, you can cover it with insulating materials like canvas tarps or stacks of newspapers. Be sure to include a 12-inch buffer around the lid.
• If you have a mechanical room with water pipes that opens to the outside, you may need to run a space heater to keep it above freezing temperatures.
• Insulate your pipes, particularly those nearest exterior walls and in crawl spaces. (Pipe insulation can help you save money on water heating year-round!) A quick video from Today’s Homeowner on pipe insulation can be found at ladpu.com/insulate .

If you have questions or concerns about your water service, please contact the DPU at (505) 662-8333 or CustomerCare@lacnm.us .