Is Your House Ready For the Cold? Take Some Protective Steps Quick.
It's coming: that winter deep freeze and first storm. This means it's also time to take a few precautions to reduce the headaches it brings. One of the biggest problems to hit your home in the winter freeze is frozen pipes. Last year, this proved to be a large problem all across Linn County. I myself ran into it. Luckily nothing burst. We want to make sure this problem doesn't hit you. Not only is it a major inconvenience, it can also be quite costly. For example, a frozen or broken water meter can cost you over $100 to replace, let alone how much water clean-up could cost if a pipe burst, or the cost to dig up your yard if underground lines freeze over. So here's a couple helpful tips courtesy of CR Water Division:
- Insulate water meters and water pipes that may be vulnerable to cold air drafts.
- Use insulating wrap that contains fiberglass or other known insulating materials.
- Ensure the basement or room containing the meter/pipes is secure from cold drafts from outside. Meters and pipes near basement windows are particularly susceptible to freezing.
- If you're going to be gone for an extended time, leave at least one faucet on with at least a slow drip. This will keep the water in the pipes flowing.
- If pipes do freeze, use rags soaked in hot water or a hair dryer to thaw them, but never an open flame, space heater, or heat tapes, as all could cause a fire.
- If in doubt, contact a licensed plumber.
- If your meter freezes or break, contact the Water Division immediately at 286-5900.