Common Household Concerns- Frozen Pipes and Leaks
Frozen Pipes:
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Colorado winters are notorious for severe freezing weather and unprotected water lines will freeze at the most inconvenient times. The City of Westminster Utilities Division offers you a few suggestions to avoid frozen water pipes, and what to do when water pipes are frozen:
- Drain outside faucets by disconnecting garden hoses from them. If faucets are not self-draining, turn off the outside water.
- Turn off and drain irrigation sprinkler systems, especially the vacuum breakers, by opening the petcock valves.
- If water pipes are exposed to freezing temperatures in crawlspaces or from open or broken windows, wrap them with insulation or electrical heat tape.
- Make sure your water meter pit lid is in place.
- Turn off water and drain piping in vacant and unheated buildings.
- Locate and mark the main shut-off valve that turns off the water to your entire house. It is located just inside the home where the water service line enters, usually in the basement or crawlspace. City staff can also turn off the water in the meter pit upon request.
Following are pointers on where to look for a frozen water line:
- Enclosures (crawlspaces and basements).
- Any area where the pipe is enclosed and the area is not heated, such as an external stairwell.
- Where the service line comes through the basement foundation and the pipe has been enclosed and not properly insulated.
- Exposed areas (crawlspaces and basements).
- Any area exposed to the cold.
- Pipes installed close to air vents in crawlspaces.
- Pipes located near partially open windows.
- An area on the service line where an outside hose bib connection is installed.
- Always check for breaks in the pipe before thawing. If a break in the pipe is located, make sure the shut-off valve is operational and closed before thawing the pipe.
Whatever methods are used to thaw frozen pipes, be sure to use safe working practices. Slow thawing is best. A hair dryer aimed at the frozen area of the pipe is appropriate; a blowtorch is not. Pipes that warm too fast may break anyway. Beware of electrical shocks when using electrical appliances, and of fire hazards if an open flame is used. Have adequate ventilation when heaters are used. Use caution when handling metal with bare hands in sub-freezing conditions. Anyone who needs additional instructions or assistance to turn off water at the meter pit or who suspects a frozen water meter should call the City of Westminster Utilities Division during normal working hours at 303-658-2500.
Leaks:
It pays to fix leaks
Leaks waste water and money. A constantly running toilet can use 4,000 gallons of water per day, which if not fixed for a month would add an extra $1,000 to a residential water bill. It pays to fix leaks.
To protect the long-term reliability of our water supply and assist customers in wise water use, the City of Westminster provides data access, technical tips, and a process to adjust your bill once the leak is repaired.
Step 1: Determine if you have a leak
If you received a Possible Leak Alert email, postcard or letter, your meter registered continuous water use for 24 hours straight. Using water for 24 hours straight usually indicates that there is a leak, but continuous water use can be caused by other things like a swamp cooler, humidifier, or normal business operation. Did you receive an alert and don't have anything that would use water for 24 hours in a row? You probably have a leak.
Check the water bill to see if your consumption was higher than last month, or than the same month of last year.
Step 2: Find and Fix the Leak
Leaks can be anywhere, but in our experience, the most common source of unknown leaks are toilets and sprinkler systems. Both are sneaky because they can leak without any clear signs. Check out the tips below to find and fix common leaks.
Or use this printable leak detection checklist.
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After you’ve fixed the leak, you can check to make sure it has stopped by viewing your hourly water use in the Westy Water Portal.
Step 3: Apply for a Leak Credit
We get it. Leaks happen and the cost can add up. The city has a process in place to credit some of the costs incurred on your monthly water bill as a result of a leak.
Some things to keep in mind:
- Customers qualify for one leak credit billing adjustment per calendar year
- Credit application must be submitted within two months after leak has been repaired.
- Water usage must be 150% above your three-year average for the same time period
- Leak must be fixed or the accidental use stopped
- Credit will reduce all excess charges to the Tier 1 rate
- Credit will apply to a maximum of two bills
- No credits to flat-rate customers (multi-family, irrigation customers)
Click here to apply for a leak credit.
The City of Westminster offers FREE leak repair services through our Water Bill Assistance Program for income-qualifying residents. View program requirements, answers to FAQs, and apply online at www.westminsterco.gov/waterbillassistance
Resoucres for how to fix common leaks: