Before a freeze:

•	Wrap all exposed pipes located outside or in unheated areas of your home,
	including the attic.
•	Remove garden hoses from outside faucets. Insulate those faucets with hard 
	foam covers or wrap with cloth or paper.
•	Cover vents around the foundation of your home.
•	Learn where your private water cut-off valves are and how to operate them.

In sub-freezing weather:

•	Let hot and cold water drip slowly from inside faucets during a freeze.
•	Open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls.

If you're not going to be home:

•	Turn off water at your private valve and drain all outside water faucets
	if your house will be unoccupied for several days.
•	Or leave your home heating system on a low setting. Otherwise, you may 
	return home from a holiday trip and find your carpet and furniture 
	soaked because your pipes burst.

Where to find your private water cut-off valve:

Most of the time, private water cut-off valves can be found near an outside faucet and
close to your home.  However, homeowners who have had a sprinkler system installed may
find their private cut-off near the sprinkler system valves, which are usually close to
the property line.

Many older homes have what is known as a "stop and waste" valve buried in the ground. 
A quarter-inch piece of iron with a 90-degree angle in it protrudes from the buried
valves and serves as a handle.  It looks like an upside down "L" Turning the handle 
will stop the water flow to your home and drain the pipes.

If you need help:

•	For emergency assistance in turning your water off or on, 
	you can reach the city of Dallas 24 hours a day by calling 311.

City of Dallas Publication No. 04/05-02.
Dallas Water Utilities
Customer Service
214-651-1441