Fall Fixes Before Winter Hits Home! Easy ways to avoid frozen pipes and more.

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Make small fixes in fall. Avoid costly repairs before winter weather hits home.


Clear gutters. Clogs can lead to leaks. 

Clogged Gutters

Fall and winter often bring big storms with heavy rain or snow. Make sure stormwater (and melting snow) can flow away from your property's foundations. Clean leaves and debris from gutters and make sure your downspout drains to the sewer or a grassy part of your yard away from the house to avoid groundwater flooding in your basement.

 


Repair or replace broken windows near pipes. 

Repair Windows

When cold air hits a pipe in a place like your basement, it risks freezing and breaking. Repair broken and drafty windows. Cover windows with plastic, and caulk windows near water meters and pipes. Always keep the area around your water meter at least 40F. 

See a how-to video!


Protect your outdoor faucet or spigot.

Prepare spigots

Hoses and outside water spigots can easily burst in freezing weather if you don't disconnect them. First, turn off the indoor valve that leads to the spigot. Then, disconnect hoses. Open the outdoor valve so leftover water can drain out — water that is trapped could freeze and damage your pipes.

Check out our handy diagram.


Take these tips out to your street!

Philadelphia Water Department
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