DECEMBER/JANUARY 2006

  PREVENT WINTER FREEZE-UPS

The following are simple steps for the homeowner to take to help prevent broken pipes due to freezing and resulting water damage to your home:

On an extremely cold day---

• Maintain higher than normal temp-eratures (3-4 degrees).
• Turn on your faucets and let the water trickle constantly.
• Open cabinet doors under the sinks. This will allow the heat to warm the pipes.
• Insulate pipes-Insulation goes a long way toward preventing freeze-ups.
• Your exterior faucets used for your garden hoses should be shut off from inside your basement and left open (even if you have freeze-proof sill cocks).

If the house has forced hot water heat and may be unoccupied at times during the winter months---
 

• Set the thermostat no lower than 60  degrees. Install a low heat alarm.
• Shut off the water at the water meter.
• Have a plumber install a low water cut off switch on forced hot water boiler.
• Heat tape the water meter and water service, unless the water meter is plastic. If plastic, heat the meter and service area.
• Leave all faucets open, fill heating system with anti-freeze.
• If heated by oil install a low oil alarm.
• Have the house checked once a week.
   

If your house is not occupied during the winter months---

• Have the water service shut off in the street and remove the meter.
• Drain all domestic water lines, leave faucets and drain valves open.
• Drain all heating lines, leave all drain valves open.
• Drain boilers and hot water heaters, and leave drain valves open.
• Drain plumbing fixtures, add antifreeze to all traps.
• Shut off gas server at meter.
• Have house checked weekly.
   

Additional Tips

---Check and replace washing machine hoses annually.

---Water heaters, safety valves and washing machines that are located above the first floor or in a finished basement should have drain pans.

---Know where your water meter and shut-off valves are located. (Make sure the valves work by turning then on and off at least a couple times a year).