The City of Wichita Water Utilities Department is asking its customers to “put the freeze on frozen pipes” this winter by following simple cold weather tips to protect their water lines.

Taking a few moments to winterize indoor plumbing in homes and businesses can go a long way in preventing pipe breaks, costly repairs and loss of water service when temperatures dip below freezing. Water Utilities suggests the following precautions:

Before freezing weather occurs:

1. Insulate exposed piping. Pipe insulation, which is available commercially, or newspaper, rags and/or blankets can be used to insulate pipes. Plumbing companies also offer heat tape for plumbing.

2. Close any openings, vents or windows into a crawl space or basement.

3. Turn off outdoor faucets and disconnect hoses from them.

4. Drain automatic and manual sprinkler systems.

5. Locate the master shut-off valve in your home, generally located just inside homes or businesses where pipes enter a crawl space or basement. The shut-off valve should be turned off to avoid damage if a pipe bursts or if there is a significant leak. Customers may contact Water Utilities at 265-1300 or 262-6000 to shut off water at their residential meters if a pipe breaks. Depending on the volume of calls received during extremely cold weather, however, there may be an extended wait time before City workers are able to respond.

When temperatures fall below zero:

1. Keep meter lids closed. Cold air can freeze the meter.

2. If pipes are enclosed in a cabinet under a sink, leave the doors open so heat can get in.

3. For pipes that are vulnerable to freezing, allow a small trickle of water to run from the faucet overnight. The stream of water should be no larger than the size of a pencil lead (about one-eighth of an inch).

If pipes freeze:

1. If water service is lost, contact Water Utilities for assistance in locating the source of the problem. Please be patient. In previous years, the department has received as many as 500 calls a day during periods of extremely cold weather.

2. Never thaw a frozen pipe with an open flame, as it could cause a fire or damage the pipe connections and fittings.

3. If some water is running, the safest and cheapest thing to do is wait for the frozen pipes to thaw.