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

[Lisa Patterson]

NEWS RELEASE	City of Lawrence, Kansas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 25, 2002

CONTACT:  Chris Stewart, Utilities Department, Assistant Director - Water
(785) 832-7800
Cold weather precautions from the City Utilities Department
(LAWRENCE, KANSAS) - It's that time of year again! Temperatures have fallen
and people may be traveling during the upcoming holiday. To help prevent
frozen water pipes, travelers should leave the heat on. 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.
In addition, the Utilities Department has provide the following "Cold
Weather Precautions for Frozen Water Pipes". 
Cold Weather Precautions For Frozen Water Pipes 
Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses. Detaching the hose allows water to drain
from the pipe. Otherwise, a single hard, overnight freeze can burst either
the faucet or the pipe it's connected to. 
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
before temperatures plummet. 
Seal off cracks. Repair broken basement windows. Winter winds whistling
through overlooked openings can quickly freeze exposed water pipes. But
don't plug air vents your furnace or water heater needs for good combustion.
Do not remove the meter tile lid. This can cause the meter to freeze and
break immediately in cold weather. 
Find the master shutoff. Each household member should know where the inside
shut-off valve is located in the event that an interior water line breaks;
turning of the shut-off valve immediately can reduce the amount of water
damage caused by broken lines. Mark the valve with a bright ribbon or
colorful paint. 
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. 
What if it's too late? You wake up to find the pipes are frozen during an
extended cold spell, despite precautions. Call your plumber. 
If you have questions, please call the City of Lawrence Utility Billing
Office at 832-7878. In case of a water emergency after 5 p.m., weekends, and
on holidays call 843-2685. 
-END-


_____________________________
Lisa K. Patterson
Communications Coordinator
City of Lawrence
PO Box 708
Lawrence, KS 66044
(785) 832-3406
fax (785) 832-3405
lpatterson@ci.lawrence.ks.us
http://www.lawrenceks.org