Prepping for E. Washington winters

MOSES LAKE — The time to get your home ready for winter is before the chilly winds begin to howl through the cracks, according to the experts. 

There are a lot of little things that can make a big difference when it comes to winterizing a home. According to Washington Water Service, here are some steps to take to prevent winter damage before the cold weather arrives: 

• Drain water from swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines following the manufacturer’s or installer’s directions. Do not put antifreeze in these lines unless directed. Antifreeze is environmentally harmful and dangerous to humans, pets, wildlife and landscaping. 

• Remove, drain and carefully store hoses used outdoors. Purchase insulation covers and cover all outside faucets. 

• Check around the home for areas where water supply lines are in unheated areas. Look in the basement, crawl space, attic, garage, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Both hot and cold water pipes in these areas should be insulated. A hot water supply line can freeze just as a cold water supply can freeze if water is not running through the pipe and the water temperature becomes cold. 

• Consider installing specific products made to insulate water pipes like a “pipe sleeve” or installing UL-listed “heat tape,” “heat cable,” or similar materials on exposed water pipes. Many products are available at your local building supplier. Pipes should be carefully wrapped, with ends butted tightly and joints wrapped with tape. Follow manufacturers’ recommendations for installing and using these products. Newspaper can provide some degree of insulation and protection to exposed pipes. 

• To maintain higher temperatures, add insulation to attics, basements and crawl spaces. 

Once the cold weather arrives, keep it at bay by: 

• Keeping garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage. 

• Opening kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals out of the reach of children. 

• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night during extreme cold. 

• If you are going to be away for any period of time, leave the heat set to a temperature no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Despite all those efforts, sometimes a pipe may freeze. If that happens: 

• If your house or basement is flooding, turn off the water valve and call 911. If there is no flooding but you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, make sure your main water valve is turned on. If it is, suspect a frozen pipe. Locate the suspected frozen area of the water pipe. 

• Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt more ice in the pipe. 

• Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove or other open flame device. Make sure heating pad, hair dryers or other electrical devices do not come into contact with water. 

• Apply heat until full water pressure and flow is restored. 

• If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible or if you cannot thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber. 

• Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may also freeze. 

Winter storms can come up fast, according to the Washington State Department of Health, and so it’s good to be ready. Besides the steps above, the DOH recommends: 

• Having appropriate cold weather clothing available. 

• If you have a kerosene heater, refueling your heater outside. Remember to keep it at least 3 feet from flammable objects. 

• Making sure your fireplace functions properly. 

• Having rock salt and sand on hand for traction on ice. 

• Filling your gas tank before the snow starts falling. 

The Department of Health report also points out that you should never use a gas or charcoal grill indoors and never use a generator indoors or in a garage or carport.