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Freezing temperatures are on the way

The National Weather Service forecasts overnight temperatures to fall below freezing level early next week. While many winters in our area are mild enough that frozen pipes are not a concern, the pending forecast is a good reminder that it's not too late to winterize.  

At a minimum, frozen pipes are an inconvenience. Worse, they can cause costly damage. Following are actions worth pursuing:

Before the cold hits:
  • Be prepared to turn water off quickly if a pipe breaks; locate water shutoff valves and confirm they turn easily. Hint: Often the only shutoff is next to the water meter.
  • Insulate pipes in unheated locations, including crawl spaces, garages and outdoors.
  • Cut cardboard or foam pieces to size for temporary placement in crawl space vents to seal them during very cold weather.
  • Detach garden hoses from faucets and add freeze caps over the hose bib.
  • Insulate pool equipment and piping that is exposed to the weather.
  • Leave household heat on to at least 55° F if you will be going away during winter.
  • Winterize sprinkler systems too.These often aren’t equipped to blow water out, but other actions will help minimize damage:
    • Shut off water to the entire sprinkler system.If there isn’t a valve to isolate the irrigation system, consider adding one. Valves from backflow prevention devices should not be used for this; they should be left open so they can drain.
    • Turn time clocks off. Temporarily disconnecting the common wire will also assure that the system can’t activate accidentally.
    • Drain sprinkler components as much as possible. Briefly propping sprinkler risers open (rubber bands wrapped around them work well) will help them to drain.
    • Insulate exposed valves. Use materials like bubble wrap that won’t absorb water, or cover other insulation well with plastic.
 
During freezing weather:
  • To avoid freezing the meter during extreme cold, open the lid only if necessary to turn water off, and close it as quickly as possible.
  • Place cardboard and foam pieces you prepared earlier into crawl space vents.
  • Keep a trickle of water running from faucets that are on outside walls and/or are farthest from the point where the main water line enters the house.
  • Heat all rooms with plumbing fixtures, particularly those with plumbing on outside walls. Open cabinet doors under sinks to let heat in. 
  • If a pipe freezes, never thaw it with an open flame. Use a hair dryer, heat lamps or space heaters.
  • If you’re away during cold spells, ask a friend to check your house and take these actions for you.




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