When freezing temperatures threaten in and around the Austin area, the Austin Water Utility (AWU) offers residents the following tips for protecting their property during freezing weather. AWU recommends taking these precautions for preventing property damage due to freezing water pipes:

1. Wrap all exposed pipes located outside or in unheated areas of the home.

2. Remove garden hoses from outside faucets. Insulate outside faucets with Styrofoam cover, rags or paper.

3. Make sure that your property owner's water cut-off valve is accessible and operational. Clean debris from around the valve, and make sure that it is protected from freezing, and will actually shut the water off to the house. If you cannot locate or operate your cut-off valve, contact Austin Water Utility Dispatch at 972-1000.

1. Drip outside faucets 24 hours a day (roughly 5 drops per minute; faster if a hard freeze is expected).

2. Open cabinet doors under sinks adjacent to outside walls.

3. In unheated garages, shut water off to washing machines. Turn off both the hot and cold water lines and disconnect them from the back of the washer. Place both lines in the drain pipe behind the washer and drip the faucets. Water softeners should be protected from freezing temperatures.

4. In sustained sub-freezing weather, let water drip slowly from inside faucets (steady drip).

5. Take extra precautions to protect pipes that have frozen in the past.

6. Businesses and homes that operate landscape sprinkler systems are urged to shut their systems off to prevent run-off water from freezing on sidewalks and road surfaces.