Beat the Freeze... Time to Winterize
Friday, November 22, 2013
Insulate water pipes, especially those that are exposed and are in unheated areas (garage, basement, and crawl spaces). You can use insulating tape, a heat producing electrical cord, to cover the pipes. In place of insulating tape, you can use fi berglass insulation, molded foam rubber sleeves, rags, or plastic. Disconnect garden hoses. Insulate and cover hose bibs.
If water pipes are not insulated leave the water on and allow it to trickle when the temperature falls below freezing. Although this can add to your water bill, you can reduce the likelihood of having frozen pipes by keeping the water moving.
Regularly monitor your water flow. Check if there is a frozen pipe anywhere in your basement, in the crawl space, or under the kitchen and bathroom cabinets. When you have located the frozen pipe, use a hair dyer to blow heat to the pipe. Do not use an open flame.
Water can freeze at the water meter during severe cold weather. If this is the case, call for customer assistance at 206-824-0375.
