How You Can Prepare Your Home for Freezing Weather
If we learned anything from the Ice-mageddon of 2021, preparedness is key during freezing temperatures, and even in the best circumstances, pipes can freeze and burst. Fortunately, for the most part, those kinds of extreme temperatures are a rare breed in our neck of the woods. Nonetheless, there are some ways you can help prevent damage before, during, and after a freeze.
Before Freezing Weather Conditions
Prior to temps dropping, take an inventory of emergency supplies. The City of Austin recommends every home have 7 days’ worth of water for each person in the home. 1 gallon per person per day is a good rule of thumb. Other supplies to keep on hand include a flashlight, battery powered radio, extra batteries, insulation for interior and exterior pipes, hose bib covers, and water meter key.
As soon as possible, take care of any drafts and close all windows and doors, including garage doors. Turn off all exterior faucets and disconnect any hoses. Wrap the faucets with old towels or rags or you can use a commercial Styrofoam insulator. If your home has a sprinkler system, turn off the system. For indoor pipes, wrap insulation around pipes in drafty or unheated areas.
During Freezing Weather Conditions
Once the mercury falls, you can take measures to protect indoor pipes and faucets. Keep cabinet doors open under kitchen and bathroom sinks to enable better warm air circulation. If weather temps fall below freezing, drip a faucet located the furthest away from the home’s main water meter. Avoid excess wastewater and collect the drips for later use. In the event of a power outage, turn off dripping faucets and shut off water with key at the main meter.
After Freezing Weather Conditions
Luckily, regional cold snaps typically last only a few days. When returning to normal and turning on a faucet, you may find the tap runs dry. This can indicate a frozen pipe. The Austin Water Department offers tips on how you can locate a frozen pipe in the home. Once the frozen pipe is located, find the frozen part. Sometimes you can see a bulge or accumulation of ice or frost or feel a cold area of the pipe.
When it comes to thawing a frozen pipe, slowly, slowly wins the race. If possible, turn faucets to a trickle. Keep cabinets open and wrap the pipe in warm towels. If there is no standing water in the area, a blow dryer or space heater can help the process, too.
Keep Your Home Safe and Protected
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