How to Conserve Water by Preventing Winter Weather Freeze-ups and Water Leaks

November 27, 2023

Protect your water lines and plumbing from winter weather damage.

Are you a homeowner in the Hampstead Area Water Company's service area? If so, you know how important it is to conserve water. One of the best ways to conserve water is to prevent winter weather freeze-ups and water leaks. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how you can protect your water lines and plumbing from winter weather damage.


First, make sure you protect your water lines from freezing. During cold winter weather, you should disconnect hoses, turn off water valves to outside faucets, and cover outside faucets with foam insulation or a foam-rubber faucet cover. Also, ensure you keep your home’s temperature at 55 degrees or higher to prevent your pipes from freezing.


Second, regularly check your water meter and home plumbing for any signs of water leaks. Signs of a leak include a sudden rise in your water bill, a sound of water running when all the faucets are turned off, and wet spots on the floor or walls. If you detect any signs of a water leak, you should immediately contact a plumber to repair the issue.


Finally, make sure you properly maintain your home plumbing. Have your plumbing system inspected at least once a year, and replace any old or damaged pipes. Also, replace any outdated fixtures such as faucets, toilets, and showerheads with more water-efficient models.

Following these tips can help conserve water and protect your home’s plumbing from winter weather damage. We hope this blog post has been helpful, and thank you for being a customer of the Hampstead Area Water Company.


10 steps to prevent winter freeze-ups that cause water leaks

  1. Insulate water pipes that are exposed to cold temperatures.
  2. Install self-regulating heat cable on exposed pipes.
  3. Install a water heater jacket to reduce heat loss.
  4. Keep your house warm by setting your thermostat to a minimum of 55°F.
  5. Make sure your attic is properly insulated.
  6. Set up a timer to turn off outdoor faucets during cold weather.
  7. Seal any gaps or cracks in your home’s exterior.
  8. Install storm windows to reduce drafts.
  9. Repair or replace cracked or deteriorating caulking or weather stripping around windows and doors.
  10. Check for any signs of water leaks and repair them as soon as possible.



Hampstead Area Water Company is a proud EPA WaterSense Partner

WaterSense partners are ambassadors spreading the water-efficiency message. Partners help educate the public while transforming the marketplace to include WaterSense labeled products, new homes, and certification programs.


Spring
By Kristina Sanborn April 22, 2026
A Quick Spring Checklist to Catch Leaks Before They Start
By Kristina Sanborn April 21, 2026
Scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, 2026
By Kristina Sanborn April 17, 2026
Emergency leak repair scheduled for Tuesday, April 21st, 2026 (8:00 AM–4:00 PM)
By Kristina Sanborn April 13, 2026
Emergency leak repair scheduled for April 14th, 2026 (8:00 AM–4:00 PM)
By Kristina Sanborn March 31, 2026
Temporary Water Service Interruption for System Improvements
By Kristina Sanborn March 31, 2026
Scheduled Water System Flushing Notice
By Kristina Sanborn March 18, 2026
Temporary Shutdown Due to Service Line Leak Repair on Tuesday, March 24th, 2026 from 8 AM - 4 PM
By Kristina Sanborn February 10, 2026
DW 25-079
By Kristina Sanborn December 17, 2025
Thursday, December 18th, 2025
By Kristina Sanborn December 11, 2025
Scheduled Repair Postponed — No Service Disruption Expected
More Posts