(Kansas City, Mo.) – Frigid temperatures have a grip on Kansas City. After you make sure your family and pets are prepared, take a look around your home. The extreme cold can cause expensive problems with your plumbing.
James Binkley, Preventative Maintenance Manager for KC Water, says every year, freezing weather leads to frozen and broken pipes. “When pipes freeze, the most important thing to know is the location of your shut-off valve inside your basement. If a pipe freezes and bursts, turn that valve off immediately to stop the flow of water,” said Binkley.
The following steps can be helpful in preventing frozen pipes:
- Disconnect & drain outdoor hoses;
- Insulate pipes or faucets in unheated areas;
- Keep kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors open so that warm air can circulate;
- Seal off access doors, air vents, and cracks;
- Locate the master shut-off valve, so water can quickly be shut-off if a leak occurs; and
- Leave a pencil-lead-thin stream of water flowing during freezing weather.
In the instance that a water pipe breaks and the shut-off valve doesn’t work, please call KC Water immediately to request an emergency shut-off. KC Water crews are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 816-513-1313 or 311.
For more information, please contact Brooke Givens, Media Relations Coordinator, at brooke.givens@kcmo.org, 816-513-0284.
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KC Water maintains and operates water treatment and distribution systems, stormwater management systems, and wastewater collection and treatment systems for residential and business customers in Kansas City and for wholesale customers in the Kansas City area. KC Water is primarily funded by fees charged to customers based on their use or impacts on the three utility systems.
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