City of Monroe, LA

(Monroe, LA) The Monroe area will soon experience extremely cold temperatures. Sustained cold temperatures and wind chill can cause exposed water pipes to freeze and burst. Even a tiny crack can unleash more than 200 gallons of water in a single day, but the extent of the damage won’t be obvious until the pipes thaw.

The City of Monroe Water System is encouraging a few simple practices to help with pipe protection on upcoming days with extended freezing temperatures. Pipe areas to focus on are in attics, garages, and behind closed cabinet doors where pipes are vulnerable due to the unheated interior space.

Here are some prevention tips:

Outdoor Prevention:

• Disconnect drain and garden hoses from water faucets; this will help prevent the faucets from freezing
• Cover outside faucets with an insulating faucet cover
• If faucet covers cannot be found, wrap the faucet in T-shirts or rags, cover the fabric insulation with some plastic bags and duct tape it into place
• Insulate and/or heat tape any exposed water piping located outside

Indoor Prevention:

• Insulate any exposed piping under sinks and inside cabinets
• Seal or caulk cracks near piping that could allow cold air in from the outside, such as dryer vents or water pipes
• Keep garage doors closed completely; this will keep cold air from entering the house
• Open cabinet doors to allow heat from the house to circulate and keep the pipes warm
• As a last resort, let the faucets drip; as water conservation is important to the City of Monroe

What To Do If Your Pipes Freeze

One of the obvious signs that you have a frozen water pipe is when no water comes out of your faucet when you turn it on.

The best course of action is to contact a plumber so the pipe can be safely thawed and any ruptures repaired immediately.

If your water pipes rupture and water is entering the house, use your private shutoff valve to turn off the water. If you do not have a private shutoff valve, or if you cannot find it, call the City of Monroe Water Distribution office for an emergency turn-off at the meter.

For after hours and weekends, call (318) 329-2385.

Another thing residents should keep in mind is Sewer Stoppage truck operations. The trucks operate using water to clear pipes. Therefore, these trucks cannot be used when the temperature is below freezing.

The Sewer Department will stop responding to sewer stoppage calls when the temperature drops below 32 degrees. Calls will be logged and will receive service in the order that they are received once the temperature warms up enough to prevent the trucks from freezing.

Best,

Michelli Martin

Media Relations Director

michelli.martin@ci.monroe.la.us

318-372-7640

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