With nighttime temperatures predicted to plunge to dangerous lows around the commonwealth for the rest of the week, the Louisville Water Company (LWC) is offering tips on how to protect your pipes.
The temperature in Grayson County, according to the National Weather Service (NWS), is forecast to reach lows between 7 degrees and 16 degrees on Wednesday through Friday. The high temperature during those three days is predicted to only reach 31 degrees. Additionally, there is another chance of snow on Friday evening, according to the NWS.
Protecting pipes
- Try to eliminate the amount of cold air flowing into your home around water pipes.
- Wrap exposed pipes with insulating material which you can buy at a hardware store.
- Open cabinet doors to allow heat to circulate around the pipes.
- Keep the water running, especially if you’ve had problems with frozen pipes in the past. Try running a small steady stream of water from a cold-water faucet in extremely cold weather. The cost of the water is minimal compared to dealing with the cost and inconvenience of frozen or burst pipes. Make sure you run the water from a faucet that children don’t use because they may shut off the faucet out of habit.
- If your home has a crawl space, cover the outside vents to prevent arctic air from freezing the pipes.
- If your house has a slab foundation, close the garage door. Some water pipes are located under concrete floors in the garage.
“During bitterly cold weather such as what’s forecasted, we suggest running a small trickle of water from a cold-water faucet in an area of the home where pipes are either exposed or have a history of freezing,” the LWC said. “The steady flow keeps the water moving, so that it doesn’t have time to freeze.”
Know where your main water shutoff valve is located
“This valve controls the flow of water into your house. It’s usually located near the water heater, in the basement, or in a utility closet. Turning off the water in the event of a burst pipe can minimize the damage,” according to the LWC. “Once you find the valve, tag it with a waterproof hanger or a ribbon.”
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
