Skoo says… It’s FREEZING! Protect yourself & your home

Freezing Weather Preparedness

Protect yourself & your property from the freezing weather!

• Insulate water pipes that are in unheated areas such as the crawl space, attic, and garage. Use insulating tape or molded pipe sleeve, wrap it over the entire length of exposed pipe. Cover all exposed valves, pipe fittings, etc. with insulating tape or fiberglass. Examples of insulating tape – https://rb.gy/xoh61s
• Drain your yard sprinkler system backflow device. Insulate your sprinkler system pipes and backflow prevention device. YouTube video – https://rb.gy/0py2w6
• Disconnect outside hoses and insulate exterior faucets. YouTube video – https://rb.gy/fqutza
• Turn on BOTH the hot and cold taps (or set single taps to the middle setting) to drip. The constant drip helps relieve any pressure that might build up between an ice blockage and your faucets, reducing the likelihood of a burst.
• If your washer is in an unheated garage, turn off the water to that area
• o Set the thermostat to a temperature no lower than 55 °F, and open cabinet doors where there is plumbing. This exposes the pipes to the warm air in your house.
• o Keep the cold out of your home by caulking your windows and ensuring your door’s weather stripping is in good condition. Shut drapes/blinds unless the window receives direct sunlight. Cover or remove window AC units.
• o Switch your ceiling fans to run clockwise on the low setting. This will circulate the warmer air that rises to the ceiling. How-to explanation – http://tinyurl.com/ypmprlk5
• o If you have a pool or hot tub keep the pumps running while temperatures are below freezing.

If your pipes freeze (but don’t burst) turn off the water at the shutoff valve, usually located in your front lawn, but they may also be found in your garage or near your water heater.
Leave your faucets on even if there is no water coming out.