How Winter Haven Residents Can Protect Their Pipes against Freezing Temperatures This Weekend

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – January 29^th, 2025 – Winter Haven is expected to experience freezing temperatures over the weekend. The City of Winter Haven Water Department wants residents to be prepared to protect their water pipes from freezing in these conditions by providing steps on how to safeguard your home’s pipes and plumbing:

1. Insulate Your Pipes: Wrap any outdoor water pipes with insulating materials such as towels, heat tape, insulation, or newspaper. Adding an extra layer of insulation will reduce the risk of freezing pipes. 
2. Protect Any Outdoor Valves and Spigots: Cover any outdoor water spigots or valves with a faucet cover. Faucet covers can be found at most hardware stores. If you do not have access to a faucet cover, wrap your faucet with a towel or Styrofoam insulation. All hoses should also be disconnected and drained from any outside spigots until the freezing temperatures have subsided.
3. Manage Your Irrigation System: Automatic irrigation systems should be turned off at the main control and drained before freezing temperatures occur.
4. Let Your Faucets Drip: Allow your indoor faucets to have a small drip during freezing temperatures. This small drip maintains flow through your water pipes and can prevent your water pipes from freezing. Make sure to capture the water being dripped so it can be utilized for other purposes, like watering your plants.  
5. Open Your Cabinet Doors: Open cabinets beneath the kitchen and bathroom sinks to allow warmer air to circulate around water pipes. 
6. Maintain Heat in Your Home: Maintain your home’s thermostat to a temperature above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. 
7. Know Where Your Water Shut-Off Valve is: Make sure everyone in your residence knows where to locate the emergency water shut-off valve and that it is clear of any obstacles. 

If you do experience a freeze in your water pipes, here are some steps you can take to thaw your pipes:

1. Thaw Your Pipes Slowly: Use a hair dryer, heat lamp, or electric heating pad to thaw your pipes
2. Keep Your Faucet On: Leave your faucet open while thawing your pipes so that water can escape as it melts

Residents are highly encouraged to follow these tips and share them with others in their community to prepare their personal assets for these upcoming weather events.

Media Contact

Katrina Hill, CPM

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATION

P 863.291.5600 C 863.287.6356

khill@mywinterhaven.com