GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS

The good news is that we have put this last frigid week behind us with only a couple of casualties. The bad news is that this weather is going to continue well into next week. Here's some advice on how to make it through without blowing some pipes:

Target areas:

· Pipes and fixtures that have frozen previously
· Exposed pipes in unheated rooms, attics, or crawl spaces
· Pipes running in exterior walls

Reduce the chances of freeze-up:
· Leave cabinet door open to facilitate warmer air's reaching frozen pipes
· Let water trickle from fixtures and make sure the drain remains open and clear if pipes are frozen

If pipes are frozen:
· Open the taps of frozen fixtures to help relieve pressure and reduce the chances of bursting pipes. Be ready to turn them off when the pipes clear.
· Increase temperatures in the home to help warm pipes, especially those in outside walls. The thermostat can be turned up or space heaters can be used to warm individual rooms
· Never apply torch or open flame. Excessive heat in one spot can cause water to boil in the pipe and possibly explode. Leave this practice to a professional.
· Heat may also be applied to pipes by use of rags soaked in hot water or with devices such as hair dryers. Electrical equipment should be used only if you are familiar w/ the needed precautions associated with preventing electrical shock.
Future prevention:
· Insulating pipes provides little protection from freezing. No heat is added to the pipes. The insulation merely slows the rate at which the pipes freeze. It gets messy to work with once its wet and frozen.
· Insulation applied to crawl-space walls; Not the floor! (where a work area makes this possible) will maintain higher temperatures in such places. In addition to providing some protection for pipes here, the floor above will be somewhat warmer & fuel savings will be realized. (Adding insulation to the floor will actually trap condensation and rot your joists and floor)
· If the house is vacant during part of the season, arrange for someone to check it daily for problems.
· Locate the main water supply valve (usually in the basement or utility room). Check the condition of the valve and learn how it operates. Look for rust and corrosion and make sure the valve is functional. If it is not, arrange for necessary repairs.

So keep the hot chocolate in good supply and break out the trivial persuit. A couple more weeks of cold snap is all we have to endure.