LAKE COUNTY — The current weather forecast is predicting freezing temperatures throughout the next few days, according to Lake County Special Districts Compliance Coordinator Jan Coppinger.
“Special districts is reminding everyone to protect their water pipes from freezing. A few precautionary steps may help avoid the messy and often expensive issue of frozen pipes,” she stated.
Coppinger suggests the following tips:
Seal out cold air: Caulk around pipes where they enter the house and close all foundation vents. This will stop cold winter air from blowing into a house. Open foundation vents are probably the greatest cause of frozen or split water pipes. It will not only protect pipes, but it may also reduce winter heating needs. Be sure to remember to open the foundation vents again in the spring to prevent moisture damage and dry rot.
Protect outside pipes and faucets: For newer homes, the outside hose bibs are frost free, meaning that the shut-off valve is actually located deep inside the insulated wall. A good indication that a hose bib is frost free is when it continues to drain water for a few seconds after it is turned off. If unsure or if the hose bib is not frost free, then it will need to be wrapped with newspapers or rags covered with plastic, fiberglass or molded foam-insulating covers to wrap the faucet. Pre-made molded foam insulating covers are available at most plumbing and hardware stores.
Disconnect all outdoor hoses from the faucets: This allows water to drain from the connected pipes. When a hose is attached, one overnight freeze can cause the faucet or the pipes to crack.
Locate the water shutoff valve: Know where the main water shut-off valve is outside of a home. Typically, they are located near the water meter or where the water pipes enter the house from the outside. It is important to know where this valve is located because if a pipe bursts anywhere in the house ? kitchen, bath, basement or crawl space ? this valve will turn it off.
Insulate the pipes: Wrapping will protect pipes from freezing. Check a house for pipes in unheated areas such as the crawl space, attic, garage or basement. Use insulating tape or molded pipe sleeves (available at most home improvement stores) and wrap it over the entire length of exposed pipe. Foam pipe insulation is split down the middle and it just slips over the pipes. The insulation may need to be cut to fit certain lengths. Cover all valves, pipe-fittings, etc. with insulating tape or fiberglass insulation.
When leaving the house for an extended time, or for an older home, consider opening cabinet doors in the kitchen and bathrooms. Water lines supplying the kitchen or bathrooms are frequently located next to outside walls. Any air leaks in the siding or insulation can cause these pipes to freeze. Leaving the cabinet doors open when the temperature is below freezing allows pipes behind the cabinets to get more heat. A plumber can also winterize a home if it will be vacant during the winter. Frozen pipes are particularly hazardous in vacant homes because nobody is home to hear or notice water running from a broken pipe.
If pipes freeze, thaw the lines safely. A hair dryer set on low heat can thaw frozen lines.
Wave the dryer back and forth along the frozen area. Thawing won”t be fast, but it will be safe.
For information, call special districts at 263-0119.
