TOMS RIVER – Veolia is urging customers to prepare their homes for winter by taking simple steps to prevent frozen or burst pipes as temperatures continue to drop.
“Spending a few minutes now can help homeowners avoid expensive repairs later,” said Kendra Morris, CEO of Veolia’s Regulated Water division in North America. She noted that plumbing in basements, crawl spaces and exterior walls is especially vulnerable during long stretches of freezing weather.
Veolia shared a short video featuring Commercial Service Representative Kelsea Dineen that offers a quick winter-prep checklist.
The company’s recommendations include disconnecting outdoor hoses, sealing cracks and closing vents; insulating exposed indoor pipes and checking shutoff valves; and keeping a small trickle of water running during extreme cold for homes that have had issues before.
Residents leaving home for an extended period are advised to keep some heat on or fully drain their plumbing if they plan to shut it off.
If pipes freeze, Veolia recommends contacting a licensed plumber, shutting off the main valve if a pipe bursts, opening a nearby faucet to allow thawing, and avoiding electrical appliances around standing water. The company also warns against using hot water or blowtorches to thaw pipes.
