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City of McKinney, TX
01/04/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/04/2025 00:10
Freezing weather is here
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Modified City Services
No weather impacts at this time.
Trash Services Updates
No weather impacts at this time.
Emergency Overnight Warming Station
Helpful Information
FAQs
1. What can I do to help prevent frozen water pipes in my home?
- Allow hot and cold water to run a thin stream the width of a pencil lead.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks to expose pipes to heat within the house.
- Keep the thermostat in your home set above 60 degrees.
- Wrap exposed exterior pipes and faucets with foam insulation or newspaper.
- Remove garden hoses from outside faucets. Freeze sensors are required on all sprinkler systems to keep them from operating during icy weather.
- Cover all openings around the foundation.
- If planning to be out-of-town for an extended time, turn off the water to the house and open faucets to reduce pressure.
2. What should I do to protect my outside water spigot / faucet from freezing?
- Wrap exposed exterior pipes and faucets with foam insulation or a towel.
- Remove garden hoses from outside faucets. Freeze sensors are required on all sprinkler systems to keep them from operating during icy weather.
- Cover all openings around the foundation.
- If planning to be out-of-town for an extended time, turn off the water to the house and open faucets to reduce pressure.
3. What should I do if one or more of my water pipes are frozen or I don't have water?
Property owners are responsible for private water systems from the outside water meter into the home. If you have issues with your private plumbing system such as a frozen pipe you will need to contact a licensed plumber for assistance.
Please contact the City of McKinney at 972-547-7360 if your private water service needs to be turned off at the outside water meter.
4. Do I need to adjust my irrigation controls during cold / freezing weather?
Running irrigation systems in freezing weather could cause hazardous ice patches. During freezing weather:
- Turn off irrigation controllers for the season
- Use manual mode only as needed
- Check WaterMyYard.org to see if your lawn needs water
5. Now that temperatures are rising and my pipes are starting to thaw, what should I do?
Check for leaks and if you find a broken pipe, turn your water off at the main valve. Your home has two shut-off valves. One is owned by the city and should only be accessed by city staff. The other is your personal shutoff valve that you are responsible for and should be able to access. It is important to know where the water shutoff valves are located before an emergency occurs.
Personal Shutoff Valves
These valves completely shut off water to the house. It is the homeowner's responsibility to know where their shut-off valve is and how to use it. These valves may be found in one of the following locations:
- In the crawl space where the water line enters the home
- In the garage, where the water line enters the wall or ceiling, near the water heater or laundry hookup
- Outside near the foundation, often protected by a concrete ring or clay pipe
If you can't find your personal shutoff valve, you may want to contact a plumber to help you locate or install a new one. If you have an emergency and need help shutting off your water at the meter, please call 972-547-7360.
Supply Valves allow you to shut off service to individual appliances.
City of McKinney Shutoff Valve
The city's shutoff valve is located between the meter and the street and should only be accessed by authorized city staff. Your water meter is located in a concrete or plastic box in the ground, generally in front of your house and near the side property line.
It is important to keep the box free of plants and roots that can obstruct or hide the meter or damage the service line.
Repairs
- While most plumbing work requires a permit, a licensed plumber can come stop leaks in an emergency without first applying for a permit.
- All plumbing permits are obtained online at the city's permitting portal, CSS.
- Homeowners that have Homestead status may perform plumbing work on their own house if they have the ability to perform the work.
- Use the Texas State Board Of Plumbing Examiners online search tool to find a licensed plumber.
6. Is it possible that the city's water source or primary delivery methods / pipes can become frozen?
It is possible, however normally when customers experience no water during cold weather events it is the result of frozen pipes that are owned and maintained by the property owner. McKinney takes precautions to ensure our water supply remains safe and reliable. We wrap exposed pipes and place heat sources at appropriate locations to keep the water flowing to prevent frozen pipes in our production facilities.
7. What do I do if I see a downed power line?
If you see a downed power line, leave the area and call 911. Anything touching a power line, such as a tree branch, could be electrified so stay away and keep pets and others away from the area.
Do not attempt to remove debris and tree limbs from areas near power lines. The debris may be concealing a live wire or downed power line.
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