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Avoid Water Disasters in Winter!
Recommendations from your Osage Beach Water Department - (573) 302-2010
Prepare for Freezing Weather
Locate your water shut off - Make sure everyone in your residence knows where the water main shutoff valve is located and keep it clear of debris and obstacles at all times. For most homes in our service area, the property owner’s shutoff valve is on your side of the water meter at the meter box. If you are not sure if you have an inside shutoff valve, check the property inspection report from when you purchased your residence. For renters, please consult with your property manager. If you cannot find your shutoff valve or if it is damaged, then you should be prepared to access the City shutoff valve in the meter box or immediately call Osage Beach dispatch at 573-302-2010 to alert the Water Department staff.
Keep out cold air - Tightly close doors and windows to the outside. Make repairs to broken or drafty windows, doors, and walls. Seal all leaks in crawl spaces and basements. Winterize unheated spaces and close garage doors for the duration of the freeze.
Exposed pipes and water heaters - Insulate pipes in unheated and drafty areas, such as an attic or garage. Also check manufacturer recommendations for your tanked and tankless water heaters. Hardware and plumbing supply stores carry pipe insulation to help keep pipes from freezing.
Outside faucets - Turn off outside faucets. Remove all connected hoses and wrap faucets with towels or a Styrofoam insulator. Turn off and drain automatic sprinkler systems.
Prepare before leaving town - If you plan to be away during a time when freezing temperatures are possible, turn off your water at the meter and set your thermostat to 65 degrees or higher.
During Freezing Weather
Protect indoor faucets - Open cabinets beneath kitchen and bathroom sinks to allow warmer air to circulate around pipes that have frozen in the past. Be sure to remove any toxic substances located in these cabinets if there are children or pets living in the residence.
Drip only if needed - After the measures above are taken, drip one cold water faucet slowly if you feel your pipes may still freeze. The faucet you choose should be the one that is the greatest distance from your main shutoff valve. It does not need to be a running trickle. If you do drip your faucet, capture the water for future use.
Power outages - If you experience a power outage for more than 24 hours, stop dripping your faucets and turn off your water at the meter.
Outside faucets - Turn off outside faucets. Remove all connected hoses and wrap faucets with towels or a Styrofoam pipe insulator. Turn off and drain automatic sprinkler systems.