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Eliminate drafts. Close off crawl spaces,
vents, and doors, especially under mobile homes. Repair broken or
cracked windows. Check insulation and caulking around doors and
windows.
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Insulate pipes. Wrap pipes in unheated parts of
your home and business. Again, mobile homes are more susceptible.
Pipes close to exterior walls or in unheated basements can be
wrapped with pieces of insulation. Don't overlook pipes near
windows. For particularly difficult pipes, consult a professional
for advise on how to select and apply heat tape. Improper use can
cause fires.
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Locate shut off valve. If the pipes freeze and
burst, knowing where the shut off valve is safes valuable time.
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Sprinkler systems. Shut off and drain outside
automatic or manual lawn sprinkling systems.
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Protect you water meter. Do not open your meter
pit, make sure the lid is on tight and is not broken. When subzero
temperatures hit, allowing cold air into the pit will freeze the
meter.
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Hose bibs. Drain your outside hose bibs and turn
off the water supply to these areas. Detach hoses so automatic drain
hydrants will in fact drain. Drain water from these piping systems
if possible.
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Winterize unheated or unused buildings.
Significant property damage can occur before a burst water pipe is
discovered in an unused building.
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During subzero weather open the door below
your sink to allow warm air to reach your pipes. Place a lighted
bulb in small unheated areas where water pipes are located. If you
have had pipes freeze in the past, keep a thin stream of water
running from the faucet highest in the house (the width of pencil
lead). This will increase your water bill, but will help prevent
your pipes from freezing. You could place a bucket below the water
and collect the water for another use (flushing toilets)? If you
own an apartment or house which is not occupied in cold weather, be
sure to check them also. Keep attached garage doors closed.
Keep your thermostat above 65 degrees when leaving your home or business
for several days.
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