| Preventing
Winter Water Disasters: There
are several measures that can be taken to
prevent water emergencies in your home. |
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1. |
Locate
and mark your main water shut off valve
for your home. This shutoff valve is usually
found near where the water line comes into
your house. Damage from running water can
be minimized if you turn off this valve
quickly. |
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2. |
Locate
the shut off valves at each of your plumbing
fixtures, such as toilets, faucets, dishwashers
and icemaker lines. |
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3. |
Winterize
the water lines to the outside hose faucets
by turning them off on the inside of the
house. Disconnect the hoses and drain the
lines by opening the outside faucet and
letting the water drain out. |
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4. |
If
your water lines freeze on the inside of
the house, NEVER try to thaw a pipe with
an open flame or torch. Please call us 24
hours a day for service. |
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| Take
Preventive Action: |
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• |
When
the weather is very cold outside, let cold
water drip from the faucet served by exposed
pipes. |
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• |
If
you will be away from your home for extended
periods of time during cold weather, leave
the heat ON in your home, set the thermostat
to a temperature no lower than 55F. |
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| Living
Green with Water Saving Tips: |
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• |
Replace
old showerheads and save up to 7.5 gallons
of water per minute without sacrificing
full spray action at low or high water pressures. |
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• |
Fix
leaky faucets and toilets… you could
save up to 500 gallons of water per month.
Be sure to check exterior faucets that may
be leaking. |
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• |
Avoid
using the toilet for a wastebasket. Every
flush you can eliminate can save between
2.0 and 7.0 gallons of water. Install a
newer water saver toilet and save even more
water without sacrificing flushing ability. |
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• |
Insulate
all accessible hot water pipes, especially
those within 3 feet of the water heater,
to allow for a lower water temperature setting. |
