With colder weather forecast across Central Florida, Seminole County Utilities encourages residents to prepare their homes for freezing temperatures. When overnight lows approach or fall below 32 degrees, unprotected plumbing can freeze and burst, leading to unexpected water damage and costly repairs.

Residents can reduce the risk by taking the following precautions:

Protect outdoor plumbing
Wrap exposed pipes, outdoor spigots, and hose connections with insulation, towels, or covers to help keep them from freezing. Letting an outdoor faucet drip slightly can also help keep water moving through the line. Collected water can be reused for plants or other household needs.

Know how to shut off your water
Make sure you know where your home’s main water shut-off valve is located so you can act quickly if a pipe bursts.

Winterize irrigation systems
Turn off irrigation at the controller and drain any remaining water from the system. Keep it off until temperatures return to normal.

Sharing these tips with neighbors and family can help prevent plumbing emergencies across the community. For more information, residents can contact Seminole County Utilities at 407-665-2110.