IT'S GOING TO GET REALLY COLD...

IT'S GOING TO GET REALLY COLD...and these are hints on HOW TO PREVENT FROZEN PIPES

Frozen pipes can be the source of costly damage and necessite extensive repairs to many homes in the midwest each winter.There are several things that can be done to help prevent freezing and the possibity of major damage.

1. REMEMBER TO REMOVE GARDEN HOSES AND ATTACHMENTS FROM THR OUTSIDE
SILCOCKS/FAUCETS.

2. FILL GAPS AND CRACKS AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME WITH FIBREGLASS
INSULATION, EXPANDING FOAM, MORTAR, CAULK, OR A COMBINATION OF THE ABOVE TO
MINIMIZE COLD AIR INFILTRATION TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE HOME.(THIS WILL HELP
KEEP BOTH INSECTS AND RODENTS LOOKING FOR A WARM PLACE TO SPEND THE
WINTER).

3. INSULATE WATYER PIPES EXPOSED TO COLD TEMPERATURES INSIDE YOUR HOME WITH FOAM
INSULATION. THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IN OLDER HOMES WITH
UNHEATED CRAWL SPACES OR CELLARS.

The first clue of a frozen pipe is reduced water flow to a certain area of the home. This could be a faucet that will not deliver water or possibly a dishwasher or icemaker that stops working. As water in the pipe freezes, it expands to form a "plug" inside the pipe. Thyis plug can easily expand enough to burst a copper pipe. It is usually when this plug starts to thaw that the water begins to flow freely from the burst pipe.

IF YOU SHOULD NOTICE EVIDENCE OF A FROZEN PIPE OR IF YOU DISCOVER A LEAK , TURN THE WATER OFF AT THE METER AND STOP THE FLOW OF WATER TO THE HOUSE. LEAVE THE FAUCETS OPEN IN ALL THE SINKS AND TUBS TO ALLOW EXCESS WATER TO DRAIN OUT.

NEVER TRY TO THAW FROZEN PIPES WITH A TORCH OR OPEN FLAME. OFTEN TIMES, A HAIR DRYER CAN BE USED TO THAW A FROZEN PIPE. ALWAYS CONTACT A LICENCED PLUMBER TO MAKE REPAIRS TO DAMAGED WATER PIPES IN YOUR HOME.