Winter Weather Water Conservation Tips & Tricks

Winterizing your home

It isn’t just about staying warm and avoiding costly plumbing repairs—it’s also a smart way to conserve water. Cold weather can cause pipes to freeze and burst, resulting in the waste of thousands of gallons of water and leading to expensive damage. Here are practical tips to help you protect your home and reduce water waste during the winter months.

Outdoor Tips

• Check outdoor faucets for leaks and make any necessary repairs before freezing temperatures arrive. Even small drips can lead to big problems if water freezes.
• Disconnect and store garden hoses. Leaving hoses attached can cause water to back up into the pipes and freeze.
• Turn off and drain outdoor hose bibs, if possible. Use the shutoff valve inside your home, then open the spigot to drain any remaining water.
• Install hose bib covers or foam faucet insulators to protect exposed faucets. These are inexpensive and easy to install; you can find them at most hardware stores.
• Shut down and drain your irrigation system for the season. If you’re unsure how, consult your sprinkler system’s manual or hire a professional.

Indoor Tips

• Insulate exposed water pipes, especially those located in unheated areas such as crawlspaces, attics, or garages. Pipe insulation is inexpensive and helps prevent freezing.
• Open cabinet doors in kitchens and bathrooms to allow warmer air to circulate around plumbing on exterior walls.
• Let a small trickle of cold water run from a faucet during freezing weather. Flowing water is less likely to freeze—use this method only when other steps aren’t possible, as it wastes water.
• Fix indoor leaks promptly. A dripping faucet or running toilet can waste gallons of water each day.

Bonus Tip

Instead of using a hose, sweep leaves and debris off driveways, patios, and sidewalks with a broom or use a blower. This simple swap can save hundreds of gallons over the season.

By taking a few preventive steps now, you can help protect your home and conserve one of our most precious resources.

References:

• U.S. EPA WaterSense: https://www.epa.gov/watersense
• American Red Cross: Preventing & Thawing Frozen Pipes: https://www.redcross.org
• Alliance for Water Efficiency: https://www.allianceforwaterefficiency.org