With temperatures dipping into the teens in Warren County, be prepared and protect your pipes from freezing.

McMinnville Water Department director Anthony Pelham is urging homeowners to winterize because calls regarding frozen residential water lines have already been received. 

 “We’ve already received reports of frozen water pipes,” Pelham said. “Most of it was customer issues and what I would consider common sense stuff with people leaving their vents open, pipes exposed, not insulated and not dripping. Leave a little drip if you’re not sure. Make sure your vents are closed and make sure you have your crawl spaces closed off.”

Running water through the pipe, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing when temperatures drop. That ounce of prevention is worth a pound of pain. Frozen pipes can burst, causing damage and potential flooding.

Pelham says allowing one sink to drip is prudent, usually the farthest sink from where the water enters the house. That way, the water is flowing through all pipes. Even if the pipes freeze, the decreased pressure in the water system will reduce likelihood of a rupture.

Homeowners should also: remove, drain, and store hoses used outdoors, cover outdoor spouts and any exposed pipes, seal cracks and holes near pipes, keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage, and open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow heat to pipes.