NE Piedmont News

City of Oxford issued the following announcement on Dec. 28.

1 - Turn off the shut-off valve - On most residential backflow devices, there are two shutoff valves. 

These are typically covered in blue rubber and are located before and after the

actual backflow device. You need to shut the one off before the device to keep more water

from entering it. This is the lower of the two shut off valves. Turning it a half turn will turn

the water flow to the backflow device off

2- Release the water pressure - Now that you have shut off the water valve, you must

release the water that is in the device so that it doesn't expand when it freezes and crack

the device. The way to do this is with a flat head screwdriver, loosen the two bleeder valves

that are usually located just under the plastic top of the backflow. Sometimes, they may

even have rubber inserts you have to remove before you can see the flathead screw. When

opening these, be aware that the water will spew out for a few seconds and your hands will

get wet.

NOTE: If the water doesn't stop spitting out after a couple minutes, you haven't fully turned

off the water in step 1.

3- Leave the smaller bleeder valves open - This will allow the water to expand and

freeze without being hindered and causing damage.

4- Insulate your Backflow - At almost all home improvements stores, they carry pipe

insulation. All you need is that and duct tape and you can wrap the pipe as shown in the

picture above. You'll also want heavy duty scissors to cut the insulation around the bleeder

and shut-off valves for easy access. You can also invest in a hot box.

5- Turn your water back on - Don't forget after the freezing temperatures have passed to

go back out and close the bleeder valves, turn on the shut-off valves, and water your

landscape. They've been without water unless it rained while you've had it off.

Original source can be found here.