Should you cover your water meter?
Should you cover your water meter?
Most water meters and many pipes are located in basements, crawl spaces, and other unheated areas, where low temperatures can easily cause them to freeze and, in some cases, burst or leak. Insulating your meter is a very simple way to protect it. The easiest way to insulate a water meter is with a specially made cover.
How can I protect my water meter from freezing?
Eliminate drafts — Close crawl space vents and openings. Repair broken or cracked windows. Make sure basement doors close tightly. Insulate pipes in unheated areas — Wrapping electrical heat tape or insulation around pipes that run through crawl spaces, garages or unheated basements may help prevent freezing.
Should you wrap your water meter in cold weather?
Insulate water pipes that may be vulnerable to cold air drafts with wrap that contains fiberglass or other known insulating materials. Cover you meter with a blanket or rug to protect it. Always keep your home’s temperature above 55 degrees, even if you are not home for an extended period.
How do you cover water pipes in the winter?
Pipes can be fitted with foam rubber or fiberglass sleeves to help decrease the chances of freezing. This can be an easy solution for pipes that are exposed but can get expensive if walls, floors, or ceilings have to be opened in order to properly insulate the pipe.
Can pipes freeze at the meter?
Cold weather and icy temperatures can cause frozen water pipes and water meters, possibly causing damage to your home.
Do water meters freeze?
If your meter is already frozen, a highly rated plumber can help you choose the best way to “thaw it out” and get it working again. They also can make sure your water system didn’t encounter any long-term damage from the freeze. A new water meter can run betwen $50 and $250.
Should you drip hot or cold water to keep pipes from freezing?
When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe – even at a trickle – helps prevent pipes from freezing.
How do you keep PVC pipes from freezing outside?
Purchase and install electrical heat tape over the PVC pipes. This is also easy to install. Wrap it around the pipe and plug in the end to an electrical outlet. The tape will provide a gentle warmth, just enough to keep the pipes from freezing.
Should you let hot or cold water drip?
Let water drip. A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. Let warm water drip overnight when temperatures are cold, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall.
How do I winterize my water meter?
Locate the meter in a place that is heated and out of the wind and weather (like a basement or crawl space). If the meter or water lines are not in a properly heated area, wrap your meter with insulation and wrap your water lines with insulation and/or heat tape (available at local hardware stores.)
What can I do to protect my water meter from freezing?
Thermaxx removable insulated water meter covers can protect water meters from breaking due to freezing and save you money and hassle in the long run. Used to measure volume of water usage, water meters play a critical part in water billing.
What kind of jacket do you need for a water meter?
In addition, a properly sized jacket is recommended over a loose one-size-fits-all meter box or blanket to prevent frozen “patches”. Thermaxx Jackets provides fitted insulation covers for your specific needs.
Why do you need to insulate your water meter?
Insulating water meters will reduce risk of breakage and damage. The ideal insulation solution is usually removable water meter covers because meters often need accessed for calibration, monitoring, and maintenance.
Do you need a heat trace water meter cover?
Thermaxx does not supply heat trace but can recommend distributors in your area. Additionally, we can easily customize water meter covers for your exact needs. For example, some users don’t require belt loops but instead require a water meter box that fits snugly over their existing heat trace.