CHARLOTTE — Officials with Charlotte Water say when temperatures dip this low, they get a lot of calls from customers about frozen pipes.
Charlotte Water told Channel 9′s Gina Esposito most exposed pipes can freeze in a matter of hours overnight.
Crews said they tend to see more issues at homes, rather than under roadways.
>> CLICK HERE for the latest forecast from Severe Weather Center 9
According to officials, homeowners can do a lot now to prevent frozen pipes and water leaks by ensuring exposed pipes, and pipes that run into your home from the outside, are covered and insulated.
Charlotte Water said it’s important to check your meter box to ensure the lid is on right and can’t let cold air in. A leak near the meter can cause an emergency, especially if water leaks and freezes on the road.
“If a customer has a water leak at the meter box, if they need an emergency turn-off because they have a broke plumbing pipe – that is where they would call 311 and request a water emergency, in which we would come out and assist,” Charlotte Water spokesperson Cam Coley said.
When temperatures drop, Charlotte Water also said it can cause a shift in the soil, which can lead to breaks under roadways.
If that happens this week, officials said crews can go out and repair the leak or broken pipe. They won’t be able to lay down asphalt though until we warm up a little bit more.
‘Steady stream all day’
A water leak in Morgan Webb’s front lawn in Charlotte prompted her to call Charlotte Water for assistance.
Webb noticed water gushing out of her lawn and contacted Charlotte Water to address the issue. Crews arrived to fix the leak, which had caused water to flow down the street towards a drain.
“It just kind of stayed a steady stream all day,” said Morgan Webb, the homeowner affected by the leak. “And overnight as you can see it started to go down our street and towards the water drain.”
Webb mentioned that her children were intrigued by the water gushing out, providing them with much to talk about. Despite losing water during the repairs, she expressed relief that the situation did not result in any injuries.
The swift response from Charlotte Water helped prevent the water from freezing and causing further hazards, ensuring the safety of Webb’s neighborhood.
(WATCH BELOW: Charlotte prepares for influx at shelters during arctic blast)
©2025 Cox Media Group