[E-updates] Cold weather precautions from the City Utilities Department

[Lisa Patterson]

NEWS RELEASE City of Lawrence, Kansas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



December 11, 2003



CONTACT:  Chris Stewart, Utilities Department, Assistant Director - Water

(785) 832-7800



Cold weather precautions from the City Utilities Department



(LAWRENCE, KS) - With below freezing temperatures forecasted until Monday 

and holiday travel approaching, a few precautions may help prevent frozen 

water pipes in homes.



The Utilities Department has provided the following "Cold Weather Precautions 

for Frozen Water Pipes".  Disconnect outdoor hoses to allow water to drain 

from the pipe.



Insulate pipes or faucets in unheated areas. If you have pipelines in an 

unheated garage or cold crawlspace under the house, wrap the water pipes.



Seal off cracks. Repair broken basement windows. But don't plug air vents 

your furnace or water heater needs for good combustion.



Find the master shutoff.  If an interior water line breaks; turning of the 

shut-off valve immediately can reduce the amount of water damage caused by 

broken lines.



Leave cabinet doors open under sinks. Allowing warm air to reach the water 

pipes reduces the risk of frozen pipes. If you have a history of frozen 

pipes you can leave a pencil-lead-thin stream of water flowing from a kitchen 

or bathroom faucet during the worst of a cold spell.



When leaving for an extended period of time, leave heat on in your home so 

the inside pipes won't freeze and break. Have a relative, friend or neighbor 

check your residence to make sure your water pipes are not frozen or broken.



What if it's too late? You wake up to find the pipes are frozen, call your 

plumber.



-END-





_____________________________

Lisa K. Patterson

Communications Coordinator

City of Lawrence

PO Box 708

Lawrence, KS 66044

(785) 832-3406

fax (785) 832-3405

lpatterson at ci.lawrence.ks.us

http://www.lawrenceks.org