As temperatures continue to dip below zero daily, Pennsylvania American Water is offering tips to help avoid frozen pipes.

According to a representative from the company, about a dozen customers in Butler County reported loss of water service due to weather-related plumbing issues as of Wednesday, Jan. 28.

To prepare for colder temperatures, Pennsylvania American Water advises locating and testing your main water shut-off valve. While closed, other water fixtures should be checked to ensure the valve is working properly.

“Ball valves generally only require a quarter turn to close. Gate valves are generally closed by turning the handle clockwise and should turn easily. If the valve does not close easily, it may need to be serviced,” the company said.

Sprinklers and irrigation systems should also be checked to ensure they are fully drained.

The company also advises checking on pipes in freeze-prone areas, such as crawl spaces, unheated rooms, basements, garages and exterior walls. Walls should be insulated, and drafty doors and windows should be fixed whenever possible.

Where pipes are exposed to cold, wrap them with insulation or heat tape. Even something as simple as fabric or newspaper can help.

When temperatures dip below freezing, the company advised opening doors to cabinets or vanities to let the warmer room temperatures in and to let a small trickle of water to run.

“The cost of the extra water is typically lower than the cost of repairing a broken pipe,” the company said.

When away from home for longer periods, Pennsylvania American Water advised setting thermostats to 55 degrees, having a trusted person check your property and purchasing a freeze alarm that notifies when temperature drops below a certain threshold.

If pipes freeze, the company advised to turn off water immediately, thawing the affected pipe by warming the air around it and then slowly turning the water back on. Pipes and joints should be checked for cracks or leaks afterward.

The company also reminded its customers that internal plumbing is the responsibility of the homeowner.