Tips for Water Pipes and Freezing Weather
While these tips were offered by the City of Vancouver, WA, they are useful even here in North Texas with the freezing temperatures we are experiencing.
City offers tips for water pipes and freezing weather
With winter approaching, the city of Vancouver is urging water customers to take small preventive steps now to avoid big plumbing problems later.
The city’s Public Works Department suggests:
* Disconnecting all garden hoses and shutting off and draining water from pipes leading to outside faucets.
* Draining in-ground irrigation systems according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
* Protecting outside faucets and hose bibs with insulation. Wrapping them with newspaper or rags covered with plastic is a good resort if you don’t have molded-foam insulating covers, designed specifically for that task and found in hardware departments of stores.
* Sealing leaks around pipes that allow cold air in.
* Insulating pipes near outer walls, in crawl spaces, basements, garages and attics to guard against freezing.
* Locating your home’s water shut-off valve and ensuring it works, before it’s ever needed in an emergency.
During freezing conditions, residents should:
* Allow a trickle of water to drip at night from an indoor faucet, preferably one along an exterior wall or farthest from where your water service connects with the main water line.
* Open cupboards under sinks in kitchens and bathrooms to allow more heat to reach water pipes.
If you go on vacation during cold weather, consider having a neighbor or friend check your house to make sure the heat is on and water flows property. You might also want to drain and shut off the water system entirely, with the exception of indoor sprinkler systems.
City residents are responsible for protecting their home’s water pipes and repairing any breaks that occur during freezing weather. If pipes freeze, leave faucets turned on and call a plumber. Never try to thaw frozen pipes with an open flame.THE COLUMBIAN
Vancouver, WA