Charleston Water System Urges Customers to Prepare for Freezing Temperatures This Week
Check out this helpful new video on the CWS YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow23vMA-xgM
Crucial actions:
- Drip indoor faucets.
- Water movement deters freezing, and slightly open faucets minimize breaks from frozen water by relieving pressure.
- Close inside valves supplying outdoor spigots/hoses.
- Spigots: disconnect hoses, drain the remaining water from the hose, then insulate the spigot with a cover.
- Insulate all pipes (hot and cold) using pipe insulation, which is available at hardware stores.
- Protect refrigerator water/ice supply lines by insulating and running frequently.
- Don’t lower heat below 55° F, even at night or when away.
- Don’t forget backflow preventers!
- We easily see more than 100 breaks during a significant freeze event.
- Wrap them in insulation and/or buy a cover. Some people also keep an outdoor light on directly next to it, or directly under it, all day and night.
- Know where your water shut-off valve is, how to use it, and test it.
- For most single-family homes, it’s located in the ground near your outdoor spigot, in line with your water meter.
- In apartments or townhouses, it may be located inside, near laundry facilities, or in a garage.
Don’t overlook:
- Swimming pool supply lines (drain them)
- Irrigation/water sprinkler lines (drain them)
- Insulate pipes in unheated interior areas such as basements, crawl spaces, attics, or garages.
- Open kitchen cabinets to allow heat to reach pipes that run against exterior walls.
Thawing frozen pipes:
- Never use open flame.
- Apply heat until full water pressure is restored.
- Try these: Electric heating pads, hair dryers, and portable space heaters (away from flammable materials).
- Keep faucets open so water can easily move, which helps to melt the remaining ice.
- Can’t do it yourself? Call a licensed plumber.
Broken pipes:
- ASAP: Turn off all the water to your structure at the shutoff valve.
- Call a licensed plumber to make repairs.
- Charleston Water System can’t turn off your water remotely, and response may not be immediate due to high demand.
- Call CWS if you can’t turn off your water after a break occurs 24/7/365 at (843) 727-6800.
- Utilities are not responsible for plumbing beyond the water meter, which is generally referred to as premise plumbing. Utilities do not repair premise plumbing.
Water Main Breaks:
- Will become frequent with extended cold weather, then again as temperatures rapidly rise.
- Metal pipes, particularly those made of cast iron as most are across the Charleston Water System service area, become brittle when filled with cold water, especially when surrounded by warmer soil. Ground pressures and shifting soils caused by freezing also damage water mains.
- Repairs are often prioritized by the number of customers impacted.
- Small breaks/leaks may not be tended to for several days if not critical to utility operation.
Voluntary Water Conservation (rare/highly unlikely):
- Charleston Water System may ask customers to conserve water when increased leaks/breaks are anticipated.
- Turn off irrigation systems, delay laundry, shorten showers, avoid car washing, have leaks repaired, and avoid other nonessential water use.
*This information was sent to the Daniel Island POA by the City of Charleston.
