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The Frozen Pipes Guide

December 13, 2012 by Tyler Golberg

Frozen pipes are obviously more prevalent in some areas than others. However now’s a better time than any to revisit this classic home nuisance as abnormal weather patterns seem to be creeping into unfamiliar territory. Here’s a brief familiarization on how to prevent frozen pipes & what to do in the event you encounter a frozen pipe this winter.

Avoiding Frozen Pipes

There are dozens of tricks for preventing frozen pipes. But instead of getting into specifics, I think it’s more important to focus on the conditions that garner frozen pipes. That way, you can decide for yourself what type of action should be taken.

  1. -Get plugged into weather patterns if you’re not already. Watch the local news or read the local newspaper. Either way, most local media outlets are good about warning folks about events such as frosts, cold spells & deep freezing events.
  2. -Keep water inside your pipes as far from freezing temps as possible by taking steps such as putting away garden hoses, splitters, etc. You might also consider shutting off the valve to your external faucets provided they have their own. Be sure to drain the lines after words.
  3. -Ask the previous owner (or even neighbors) if the house has ever had an issue with frozen pipes. If so, inspect problem areas & put a plan in place for keeping those areas above freezing. As another precautionary measure, you might consider allowing indoor faucets to trickle as moving water has a much harder time freezing.
  4. -Locate & know how to operate your main water valve in the event you need to thaw frozen pipes. When staring down a frozen pipe, you’ll be glad you did this ahead of time.
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Filed Under: Tips and Tricks Tagged With: winterization

Rain Barrel Winterization Tips

November 1, 2012 by chuck

Rain Barrel Winterization Tips

It is wonderful to see more and more homeowners using rain water collection systems (also known as rain barrels) to collect and utilize rainwater for their lawn and garden irrigation needs. Some homeowners even wash their vehicles with collected water.  The home rain barrel typically collects rain water running down from the homes roof, into the gutters, down the downspouts and into the rain barrel.  This is a great water conservation method and it is wonderful to see green efforts being undertaken by many homeowners and DIYers.  Over 600 gallons of water will run off a 1,000 square foot roof during a one-inch rain storm.  While the water collected is not safe for drinking, it is perfect for watering lawns and gardens and other exterior uses.

Winter Is Coming

Use these tips to winterize your home's rain barrelIf you live in a cold to moderate climate where the temperature gets below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 degrees Celsius), you will want to do something to prevent ice from damaging your barrel.  Remember from high school physics class that when water freezes it also expands.  Water trapped inside your barrel and any of its components will expand as it freezes and may cause damage to the various components of your rain collection system.

Weatherization Is Key

Weatherize your barrel to ensure it is ready to place back into service in the Spring.  This should be done prior to the cold weather hits your geography.

Winterizing your rain barrel is pretty simple:

  • Drain all the water from the barrel and hoses
  • Move barrel into a garage, storage shed, under a porch or deck or other covered place.
  • If you don’t have a covered storage space, it is best to turn the barrel upside down to prevent water from continuing to collect. Also, be sure to cover the spigot opening to prevent water from collecting there as well.
  • Reconnect gutter downspout or add temporary flexible gutter downspout to ensure water is diverted away from foundation of your house.

Winterizing your rain barrel before the temperatures drop below freezing will ensure many years of use and many gallons of water saved!

Filed Under: Home Improvement, Home Maintenance and Repair, Yard and Garden Tagged With: rain barrel, winterization

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