Home Emergency Print this page and stick it on the fridge or next to the water heater. Fill in the blanks with a pen. It fits on one sheet of Letter paper.
Winter pipe checklist
Boise & Treasure Valley · Home Emergency Line · homeemergencyline.com
If water is spraying or flooding
- Close the main water valve. Round handle: clockwise. Lever: quarter-turn across the pipe.
- Turn off the water heater (gas: "pilot"; electric: its breaker).
- Stay out of water near outlets; switch off breakers only from a dry spot.
- Photograph everything before cleanup, then start drying right away (the EPA advises wet materials be dried within 24–48 hours).
Fill in now, before you need it
Our main water shutoff is:
Water heater type (gas / electric) and its breaker #:
Our water utility emergency #:
Plumber:
Insurance company & policy #:
Water utility numbers
| Boise (most addresses) | Veolia Water Idaho | 208-362-1300 |
| Meridian | City of Meridian Public Works – Water | 208-888-5242 |
| Nampa | City of Nampa Waterworks | 208-468-5860 |
| Kuna | City of Kuna Public Works | 208-573-7676 |
| Caldwell | City of Caldwell Water Utilities | 208-455-3000 |
| Eagle, Star, Garden City, other areas | Your water provider | Number on your water bill |
Before the first hard freeze
- Hoses disconnected and stored
- Hose bibs shut off inside and drained
- Faucet covers on
- Irrigation shut off and blown out
- Exposed pipes insulated (crawl space, garage, attic)
- Gaps around pipes and cables sealed
- Main shutoff found, tested and tagged
- Washer and toilet hoses checked
- Furnace serviced
Nights forecast near 20°F or colder
- Drip cold water at faucets on outside walls
- Open cabinet doors under those sinks
- Same thermostat setting day and night
- Garage door closed
- Away from home? Heat at 55°F or higher
No water at a faucet? The pipe may be frozen. Leave the faucet open and warm the pipe with a hair dryer, never an open flame. Be ready to close the main valve: a thawing pipe may leak.
Danger to people, gas smell, or water near live electrical equipment: leave and call 911. General information only; follow official safety advice.