Avoid Frozen Pipes!

Help prevent frozen pipes during periods of extreme cold with these tips:

• Keep the heat on in the home, suspend set back periods such as night time or periods during the day when homes unattended, even turn the heat up a bit during these cold periods
• Open cabinet doors under sinks located in kitchens, baths or laundry rooms, this will allow the heat into those spaces that tend to get cold during extreme cold. Remember many sinks are located on exterior walls
• Allow faucets to drip or run at a trickle, running water continuously even at a very slow rate keeps the pipes from freezing.  Periodically check the flow of these faucets open and run water if you detect a reduced flow or pressure.
• Keep interior doors open, this allows the heat in the home to flow more freely throughout the house.
• Keep garage, basement and cellar doors closed and even insulate if possible.
• Check all exterior windows to be sure they are closed, and storm windows are closed as well if present.
• Place a 60 Watt incandescent light bulb in cold areas to provide a small amount of heat
• Seal cracks in basement, and exterior walls
• Set fans up to blow warm air in cold areas of the home