The Department of Water Management Offers Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes

The Department of Water Management Offers Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes

As winter officially begins on December 21, 2019, the Department of Water Management (DWM) is spreading the word and reminding residents to take precautions to prevent their pipes from freezing.

As the temperature drops for more prolonged periods of time, the greater the chance that pipes could freeze and burst –causing costly damage to homes.

Visit www.cityofchicago.org/water for more tips on how to prevent frozen pipes.

Maintain Good Water Quality

To ensure good water quality, remember to flush your plumbing system every day. Simply run the cold water for five minutes when water in the home hasn’t been used for six hours or more. Daily activities such as showering, doing laundry or dishes count as daily flushing. The Department of Water Management offers free water testing to all Chicago residents. If you are interested in having your water tested –for free, call 311 or visit www.ChicagoWaterQuality.org to request a lead test kit.

 

What happens when the snow melts?

Remember snow is water. When snow melts, the water drains the same as it does after a rain fall. Snow melting on a warm day after a heavy snow fall can cause the sewer system to overload
with water. To keep this water from backing up into the basement, keep these tips in mind:

1. Clear sewer catch basins of old leaves or debris before a big snow.
2. Limit the use of dishwashers and washing machines when heavy snow fall is melting quickly. This will prevent excess water from overloading the sewer system.