As the Bay Area braces for another bout of chilly weather, Aqua Ohio has advised residents to fortify their homes against the brunt of winter's cold — particularly when protecting their pipes from the deep freeze. According to the City of Mentor, the utility company has outlined several proactive measures that homeowners and renters can undertake to stave off the inconvenience and potential expense of frozen and burst pipes.
Key among these measures, Aqua Ohio suggests, is the importance of knowing how to shut off one's home water supply quickly. Especially ripe for a winter's mishap, unattended spaces like crawl spaces or basements could bear the brunt if not properly maintained. The company stresses ensuring lids on outdoor meter pits are intact, not broken or gone missing, which could lead to an unwelcome draft that might usher in the cold enough to freeze pipes.
Arming oneself with proper materials is a defense per the utility's recommendations. Homeowners are urged to have heat tape, pipe insulation, a portable space heater, and a portable hairdryer ready. When Jack Frost creeps in, Aqua Ohio advises that wrapping pipes with insulation or heat tape could be a critical shield against the cold. They note that wrapping indoor water meters with "a blanket" could provide a simple yet effective layer of protection.
For those with plumbing against exterior walls — a notably vulnerable configuration — the utility encourages the installation of heat tape to the pipes. Open cabinet doors beneath sinks, it tells, to allow interior warmth to reach the pipes. And in a bid to prevent a home from resembling the aftermath of a tundra, when the thermometer flirts with temperatures below 10°F, Aqua Ohio throws in a tip that leaves "a thin stream (about the size of a pencil lead) of water running continuously" can be a less costly trade-off compared to mending burst pipes, according to the City of Mentor.
If the freeze has already claimed its territory and pipes succumb to ice, residents can, according to Aqua Ohio, employ a hair dryer or heat tape to thaw the trouble spot gently. But they warn sternly against using a plumber’s torch or heat gun, which bring more brawn than these delicate operations call for. Home dwellers and caretakers looking for more thorough advice can find additional resources and detailed instructions at Aqua America's website via the City of Mentor's official website.
