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Q: |
When cold
weather is forecast, what can I do to prevent
pipes from freezing and bursting? |
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A: |
Because your
furnace is operating more frequently:
- Be sure that
carbon monoxide detectors are working properly
and are located near the furnace area.
- Keep heat at
70° (during these frigid days).
- Check your
home for drafts.
- Check
underneath all kitchen and bathroom cabinets
that are located on outside walls. Pipes that
are located in these areas could freeze. Leave
cabinet doors open to allow heat in.
- Insulate pipes
that are located on outside walls.
- If you have
had previous problems with freezing, leave a
faucet trickling warm water. Moving water
generally will not freeze.
- Try to heat
under crawl spaces.
- If your pipes
should freeze, heat the area immediately. This
may help to avoid broken pipes.
- Before leaving
your home in the morning, test all faucets to
ensure they are working properly. If they are
not, heat the area immediately. If the pipe
conditions do not improve, call a licensed
professional plumber immediately.
- Call a
licensed professional plumber to install
Glycol Antifreeze in your heating system. This
will aid in keeping your pipes from freezing.
- If you own
vacant property, be sure the heat is set at
68°.
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Q: |
I've got a
frozen pipe in my home. How do I thaw it out? If
it bursts, what should I do to stop the
flooding? |
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A: |
- Apply heat to
the section of pipe using an electric heating
pad wrapped around the pipe, electric hair
dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from
flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes
with towels soaked in hot water.
- Do not
use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater,
charcoal stove or other open flame device.
- Do not
let a heating pad, hair dryer, or other
electrical device come into contact with
water.
- Do not
leave any heat source unattended at any time.
- Keep the
faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and
the frozen area begins to melt, water will
begin to flow through the frozen area. Running
water through the pipe will help melt more ice
in the pipe.
- If your house
or basement is flooding, turn off the water
valve if you can locate it and call 911.
- DO NOT TRY
TO THAW A BURST PIPE THAT HAS RESULTED IN
FLOODING! THIS COULD CAUSE ELECTROCUTION!
- If you are
unable to locate the frozen area, if the
frozen area is not accessible, or if you can
not thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
- Be sure to
check all of the other pipes in your home to
be sure further freezing has not occurred.
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Q: |
How can I locate
the valve to shut off the water supply to my
home? |
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A: |
Knowing how to shut off the water supply can
prevent severe flooding and damage that usually
occurs when pipes burst. Having every member of
your household understand this information is
important. To determine
where your shutoff valve is, locate the outside
water line that leads to your home. The water
line usually flows directly from the water meter
to a location inside the residence.
The most likely
places for the valve to be located are on the
internal pipes near your outside walls or where
the water enters the structure. |
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Q: |
How
can I prevent my shower water from turning
'colder' when someone turns on the kitchen
sink? |
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A: |
What you are experiencing is referred to as
a water pressure drop. This may be due to
the size and condition of your water
distribution piping, low static and residual
water pressure or the quality or working
condition of your shower valve. I suggest
that if your domestic water system is fed by
a public water service, you should contact
the water department and inquire about the
water pressure in your area. Low water
pressure can sometimes be solved with a
water pressure booster pump. You also may
want to consider increasing the size of your
water distribution mains and risers which
will improve the volume of water available.
If your plumbing system is not of historical
significance, you might consider replacing
old brass and lead piping that may be
clogged with build up on the interior of the
pipe walls. However, if your shower valve is
old, non-balancing or is not functioning
properly, it would be far less expensive to
replace the shower valve than make any of
the modifications above. |
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