Preparing for cold weather:
* Disconnect outside water hoses. If left connected during freezing temperatures, water in hoses will freeze and expand causing connecting faucets and pipes to freeze and break.
* Inspect outside faucets. If dripping or leaking, make the necessary repairs or call a plumber before a freeze.
* If your home is equipped with interior shut-off valves leading to outside faucets, close them and drain water from the pipes.
* Cover outside faucets using an inexpensive faucet insulation kit.
* Insulate pipes in unheated areas. Apply heat tape or thermostat-controlled heat cables around exposed pipes.
* Make sure your furnace is set no lower than 55 degrees during the winter to prevent pipes from freezing. Note that when pipes freeze, water pressure builds causing cracks, whether the pipe is made of plastic, copper or steel. Even a tiny crack can unleash 250 gallons of water in a single day.
* Your water heater works harder during winter months. Drain corrosion-causing sediment from the tank, which reduces energy efficiency if it's not removed.
* Set water heater thermostat to 120 F for optimum performance without risk of scalding.
* Clear any leaves and debris from roof gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage throughout the winter season.
* Inspect and clean sump pit. Remove any rocks and debris from pit then dump a bucket of water into the sump pit to test the pump. If it turns on and pumps water out then turns itself off, it is operating properly.
When temps fall below freezing:
* Inspect outside faucets. If dripping or leaking, make the necessary repairs or call a plumber before a freeze.
* If your home is equipped with interior shut-off valves leading to outside faucets, close them and drain water from the pipes.
* Cover outside faucets using an inexpensive faucet insulation kit.
* Insulate pipes in unheated areas. Apply heat tape or thermostat-controlled heat cables around exposed pipes.
* Make sure your furnace is set no lower than 55 degrees during the winter to prevent pipes from freezing. Note that when pipes freeze, water pressure builds causing cracks, whether the pipe is made of plastic, copper or steel. Even a tiny crack can unleash 250 gallons of water in a single day.
* Your water heater works harder during winter months. Drain corrosion-causing sediment from the tank, which reduces energy efficiency if it's not removed.
* Set water heater thermostat to 120 F for optimum performance without risk of scalding.
* Clear any leaves and debris from roof gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage throughout the winter season.
* Inspect and clean sump pit. Remove any rocks and debris from pit then dump a bucket of water into the sump pit to test the pump. If it turns on and pumps water out then turns itself off, it is operating properly.
When temps fall below freezing:
* Open cabinet doors to expose pipes to warmer room temperatures to help keep them from freezing.
* If you have an attached garage, keep its doors shut. Occasionally, plumbing is routed through this unheated space, leaving it vulnerable to winter's worst.
* Crack a faucet farthest from the place where your water enters the house. A very slow drip will keep water molecules moving, reducing the chance that pipes will freeze. Place a bucket underneath the faucet so the water can be saved for other household uses. The cost of the extra water is low compared to the cost to repair a broken pipe.
* Keep your thermostat set above 55 degrees when leaving your house or business for several days
Adapted from info from Sioux City Journal and Newport Utilities
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