When it happens

Water lines can freeze during very cold winter weather if

• The depth of the frost reaches the depth of the service line, or
• Your basement is not heated where the water service line enters the home 

How you know

How to avoid

Keep temperatures above freezing in basement spaces where

• The service line enters the home
• The water meter sits 
• If your meter is in a separate room or cabinet, leave the door to the room open to aid air flow.

Keep a faucet in the lowest level of your home running a trickle of cold water until the ground thaws. 

• You only need to run a pencil-width stream of water.
• Make sure your drain is free of debris to prevent overflowing or flooding.
• Place a visible note on the faucet reminding other people in your home to not turn the water off. 
• Turning the water off, for even a few minutes, can cause a recently frozen line to freeze again.
• Do not turn the faucet off until the ground is fully thawed.

If you have a service line that often freezes

• Keep the basement temperature above freezing in the winter.
• Consider hiring a qualified contractor to lower your service line. Lower it to a depth that it can't be reached by frost.