Winston Salem Times

When temperatures fall, residents are advised to protect their water pipes. Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities has issued a reminder about the potential damage freezing water can cause to home plumbing systems. If not properly protected, pipes may crack or break, leading to flooding and expensive repairs.

To prevent frozen pipes, homeowners should first locate their main water supply shut-off valve to minimize flooding if a pipe bursts. Insulating water heaters, pipes, and faucets is recommended, especially in unheated areas. Outdoor water hoses should be disconnected and drained. During extreme cold conditions, allowing faucets to trickle slowly can also help.

These preventative measures are ideally implemented before cold weather arrives. However, a sudden drop in temperature serves as a timely reminder of the importance of these simple home improvements that could avert significant issues and repair costs.

Although Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities cannot perform plumbing repairs on private property, they offer assistance by shutting off water at the meter during emergencies. Residents are encouraged to watch an informative video available at youtu.be/hBHUd2R57Cc for further guidance.

Additional information can be found at cityofws.org/2626/Prevent-Frozen-Pipes or by contacting CityLink through cityofws.org/citylink.

Residents can subscribe to Alert Center and News Flash for updates from Utilities at cityofws.org/notifyme.