Winter - Seasonal Information
How can I prepare for a natural disaster? Winter Freeze. Water Pipes Freezing
Prevent Your Pipes From Freezing
Monitor Freezing Pipe Conditions
If a Pipe Freezes
If a Pipe Bursts
How can I prepare for a disaster? Winter Freeze. Home Winter Safety
Preparation Tip
How can I prepare for a disaster? Winter Freeze. Cold Weather Facts
Winter Storm Watch
Winter Storm Warning
Blizzard Warning
Wind Chill
How can I prepare for a disaster? Winter Freeze. Water Pipes Freezing
Every winter season, the pipes in your home are at risk of damage from freezing conditions. Low temperatures can cause your pipes to freeze, and in some cases burst. The following tips can help you safeguard your home before, during and after a pipe freezes.
Prevent Your Pipes From Freezing
- Open cabinet doors below sinks to allow heat from the home to circulate.
- Disconnect all gardening hoses and install covers on all outside faucets.
- Keep your house temperature at 68 degrees or higher, even if you're leaving the house for an extended period of time.
- Identify the location of the main water valve and the valve on your water heater. (Learning the location of these valves may come in handy during an emergency.)
- Wrap pipes nearest exterior walls and in crawl spaces with pipe insulation or with heating tape. This can prevent freezing, especially for interior pipes that run along outside walls.
- Close all windows near water pipes; cover or close open-air vents. Freezing temperatures combined with wind drafts can cause pipes to freeze more frequently.
- If you plan to be away from home for an extended period of time, shut off water supply valves to your washing machine.
Monitor Freezing Pipe Conditions
- Allow a faucet to drip slightly (lukewarm water) in order to minimize freezing.
- The first sign of freezing is reduced water flow from a faucet.
- Check your faucets for water flow and pressure before you go to sleep and again when you wake up.
- Check pipes around your water meter, in unheated areas, near exterior walls and in crawl spaces.
- These tend to be vulnerable to freezing conditions.
- Identify cold air drafts coming in from a flue or chimney chase and caulk gaps that are near pipes.
If a Pipe Freezes
- If a faucet or pipe inside your house freezes, you can thaw it using a good hair dryer. (For safety purposes, avoid operating a hair dryer around standing water.)
- To thaw a frozen pipe, heat water on the stove, soak towels in the hot water and wrap them around cold sections of the pipes.
- When thawing a pipe, start thawing it nearest to the faucet. Make sure the faucet is turned on so that melted water can drip out.
If a Pipe Bursts
- Shut off water at the main valve.
- If the break is in a hot water pipe, the valve on top of the water heater should be closed.
- Call a plumber. Keep an emergency number nearby for quick access.
How can I prepare for a disaster? Winter Freeze. Home Winter Safety
Keeping your home and property safe is a priority year round. However, winter weather brings on additional safety hazards that, if neglected, can be dangerous. Learn tips to keep you and your home safe during the winter season.
Preparation Tips
- Wash spray equipment, such as a hose or sprinkler, and put it away for the season.
- Make sure combustible material such as spray cans or paint are not near a heater or any source of heat.
- Ensure proper ventilation for the heating system(s).
- Inspect fireplace for loose mortar or suite buildup in flue stack.
- Be sure a screen covers the fireplace opening in your home.
- Use lighting outside that is designed for outdoor use, including weatherproof cords, plugs, sockets and connections.
- Provide ample light outdoors from the street and driveway to the entrance and interior of the home to illuminate snow and ice patches.
- Keep all sidewalks and entrances to your home free from ice and snow.
How can I prepare for a disaster? Winter Freeze. Cold Weather Facts
As you’re headed out the door this winter remember preparing for cold weather can help make a difference.
Winter Storm Watch
When severe winter weather threatens your area, a Winter Storm Watch is generally given. If you plan to be outdoors for a long time period or plan to travel, be sure to keep an eye out for changing weather conditions.
Winter Storm Warning
A Winter Storm Warning means that severe winter weather conditions have been spotted and are on the way to your area. Travel plans should be minimized if possible.
Blizzard Warning
A blizzard warning means large amounts of falling or blowing snow with winds of at least 35 miles per hour are expected for several hours. Travel is not recommended during a Blizzard Warning, you should remain indoors.
Wind Chill
Wind can pose a hazard to you and your skin during winter season. Wind Chill Equivalent Index is a calculation of how cold it feels outside when temperature and wind speed are combined. When winds combine with freezing temperatures the result is an air temperature that can feel about 35 degrees colder.