EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — As El Paso prepares for its first freeze of the season, experts are urging residents to protect their pipes to avoid costly damage and wasted water.

ABC-7 spoke with Christina Montoya, communications and marketing manager for El Paso Water, who explained that freezing temperatures can cause water inside pipes to freeze and expand, leading to cracks or breaks.

To prevent pipe damage, homeowners should insulate outdoor plumbing and disconnect garden hoses. Protective covers for outdoor faucets are available at hardware stores. However, for a last-minute solution, Montoya suggests using a house towel and duct tape to wrap exposed pipes.

Another tip is to let outdoor faucets drip lightly, which can keep water moving and prevent freezing. However, this should only be used as a last resort.

What to do if a pipe breaks:

Being proactive and planning ahead is key, Montoya says residents should know where their water meter is and practice turning it off. Most water meters are located near the curb, under a circular metal cover.

“You really need to know where your water meter is,” Montoya said. “If you get a break, unless you turn it off, the water will continue to flow. And that will cause disaster. And it will also appear on your bill.

Tools for turning off the meter can be purchased at hardware stores.

El Paso Water offers assistance programs for customers experiencing high repair costs due to broken pipes. Click here for more information. To report an emergency, you can call 915-594-5500.

Apartment owners should be sure to contact landlords in advance. “If it’s a system planned for the entire complex, it’s not exactly in your hands,” Montoya said. “But if you have individual units, you know, there might be something you need to check. If you have individual landscaped space.”