A water utility will see many customers with frozen pipes over the course of 125 years, so American Water, the nation’s largest investor-owned water utility, has summarized its experience in preventing water loss and water damage from frozen and burst pipes with tips for homeowners across the country.

Home construction in southern locations will sometimes include pipes in unprotected locations without insulation, including crawl spaces, and these can be particularly vulnerable.

Dr. Mark LeChevallier, director of Innovation and Environmental Stewardship for American Water, stresses that winterizing advice is just as important for homeowners in southern states that are subject to periodic freezes, as it is for homeowners in traditional cold weather states in the north. “Home construction in southern locations will sometimes include pipes in unprotected locations without insulation, including crawl spaces, and these can be particularly vulnerable.”

American Water’s Top Ten Winterizing Tips include:

1. Search for pipes that are not insulated, or that pass through unheated spaces such as crawlspaces, basements or garages. Wrap them with pre-molded foam rubber sleeves or fiberglass insulation, available at hardware stores.
2. Consider wrapping pipes with electric heating tape, but follow manufacturer’s instructions carefully, and purchase heat tape with a built-in thermostat that only turns heat on when needed.
3. Seal cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations with caulking to keep cold wind from pipes. Look for areas where cable TV or phone lines enter the house, to be sure holes are tightly sealed.
4. If your home is heated by a hot-water radiator, bleed the valves by opening them slightly. Close them when water appears.
5. Before freezing weather sets in, prevent burst pipes by making certain that the water to your hose bibs is shut off inside your house (via a turnoff valve), and that the lines are drained.
6. Drain any hoses and air conditioner pipes. Make sure you don't have excess water pooled in equipment.
7. If you suspect a pipe has frozen but it has not yet broken, turn on the faucets connected to the pipe, and trace backwards from the faucet feeling for the coldest spot. Thaw the pipe with a hair dryer or even a hot water bottle.
8. Wrap your water heater. Nearly 15 percent of an average home energy bill goes to heating water. The Alliance to Save Energy recommends wrapping your water heater in an insulation blanket to help reduce heat loss.
9. Keep your water temperature around 120 degrees and install inexpensive low-flow shower heads to reduce hot water use. Lowering the temperature to 120 helps reduce water heating costs.
10. Know where your water main is located in case you need to shut if off during an emergency.

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7, 000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 16 million people in 35 states and Ontario and Manitoba, Canada. More information can be found at www.amwater.com.